Breaking into AM/IB- Advice
This is my first post on WS so apologies if this is a ridiculous question. Im just looking for some insight into possible career moves for myself.
Currently I’m a recent graduate from a top 15-20 UK Uni with a First Class degree in Econ. Since graduated I’ve been working at one of the larger mid-market FX brokerage companies as a sales executive. Since working here I’ve realised this is something I definitely do not want to pursue for a career as I’m not a great cold-caller and it seem your career progress caps out after about 3 years.
My ambition would be to work in either Asset Management (i.e. equity analyst) or for a strat consultancy/corp strat. I know that it will not be easy to get into one of these industries coming from a non-target but I am incredibly driven and determined, but I also don’t want to delude myself and pursue something which will never happen.
Currently I’ve applied to:
PwC - Consulting/Assurance
Lloyds bank- global corporate and Institutional analyst
Factset – Consultant
I know these are all not where I want to be but my thinking is; Factset, get my CFA and with my exposure to asset management companies get my foot in the door (doing Linkedin advanced search shows this is a possibility). PwC – work there for 2 years then move into either transaction advisory or a corp role and then get a top MBA and apply from there, or Lioyds bank and then move to a PE/Investment bank and MBA from there. Or I’m also thinking of doing a masters in finance at a top uni (UCL, LSE) and then leverage my current role into S and T at an IB, although this is a less preferred option due to the cost of time and money.
I guess i am just a bit panicked and over thinking this process, but I just want to make sure Im on track for a lucrative career and not some dead-end job. I know most of this will come down to my networking abilities, but assuming this is equal for all opportunities how would you rank these routes according to chances of succeeding, along with how lucrative they may be. Also, what may be other alternate routes?
