Can I handle being an investment banking analyst and be in the Army reserves?
I have a very conflicted path, and I am more than blessed with my situation. I will be a summer analyst at a middle-market bank in NYC this summer, graduating this coming December. I have always considered joining the Army, and I received a call from an Army reserves recruiter this morning and thought, "wow, this could be possible." I hypothetically graduate in December, complete my six months of training/job training, and then start as an analyst. Of course, assuming that I receive an offer and start training in the summer. Am I being completely unrealistic? Will my MDs and peers hate me for missing one weekend a month as an analyst? Looking for advice here
Had an analyst at group at an MM who was a reserve - possible but ready to use "vacation" days. Good luck.
Many banks, especially large ones, will have military policies. You should look yours up (not that this alone should drive a decision, but it will be a more informed decision). At a minimum, the firm must hold your job, give you the time off, and allow you to progress with your peers. That’s the minimum. Banks can add additional things on top of that floor, such as giving you pay differential while away.
But there’s a question of whether banks hold true to this in practice. Some banks *Citigroup* might be total scumbags with this stuff not even meet the minimum requirement, while putting out PR sucking their own dick about how good they are. But the point is you should understand the protections afforded to reservists.
So, legally are you protected, yes to some degree. Will it hold up on practice, hard to say. But then there is the question of your WLB. You may say to yourself now that it’s all good, you can handle it, etc. But what will you say when you get off work at Friday at 8pm, have to travel to drill, drill all weekend, make up for work when you get home Sunday night, and push right into the next week. My point is you should feel out your job first to determine how you’d feel if you effectively had 14 days straight with no break.
Good points.
No experience, but does the army let you bank while doing pullups?
I would receive clarification on your training timeline and see if it will line up with your IB offer. Did you participate in ROTC? If not, you'll need to complete Basic Combat Training (10 weeks) and Officer Candidate School (12 weeks) before you receive your commission. Then, you'll attend Basic Officer Leader Course (16-ish weeks) to qualify in your branch/job. If it's combat arms like Infantry, there will be a high expectation for you to attend Ranger School as well (61 days minimum).
I can say there will certainly be a waitlist for BOLC, and most likely for BCT and OCS as well. This will of course add additional time. I'd be skeptical of any "promises" your recruiter makes.
You can DM me if you have more questions.
Can I DM as well?
Sure thing.
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