I'm a junior ILR major at Cornell. I started here as a sophomore with a guaranteed transfer (AKA I made the decision to do ILR when I was still in high school). I originally chose ILR because it is flexible and interdisciplinary, and I figured that that would allow me to explore and figure out what my interests were. Once at Cornell, it didn't take long before I discovered my interest was finance. Unfortunately, external transfers are not allowed to internally transfer into AEM. I'm taking as many business, finance, accounting, and econ classes as I possibly can while still completing my ILR reqs to graduate on time. I have relevant extra curriculars and do a lot of self-studying of finance-related topics in my free time. Over the summer I had a semi-relevant internship but it was at a huge company with great brand recognition.
If I have a good GPA (3.78) and network like a mother fucker, do you guys think I have a chance at a SA IBD position this summer?
As a side note. I fucking hate ILR classes because i resent that i have to take them when my interests lie elsewhere, so take basically all business and econ classes now. Could this be interpreted as me being some jackass who's trying to snake his way into finance, or seen as someone whose busting his balls to end up in IB/ not be a union organizer?
I know this is a super long post (stream of consciousness) so I really appreciate any thoughtful responses. Also, if there happens to be an ILR Alum working in the industry and on WSO, I'd really appreciate the opportunity to to speak with you.
TLDR: Chose a major before i discovered my interest in finance. Now I'm stuck in the major. Am I fucked?
I don't go to Cornell but on WSO I've read that ILR majors get BB IB all the time...use search if you haven't already, might be some relevant threads - I have a feeling it may not be as difficult as you're implying you think it will be.
Thanks for the response. I'm sure you're right. I had come across a WSO thread earlier that made it sound like a huge pain in the ass, but I was pressed for time so I couldn't do any more thorough research.
@ BSH, you will be totally fine.
Keep your GPA up and you will be fine, especially if you keep networking. Your reason for choosing ILR (flexibility/ diversity)is, at least partially, why 90+% of us chose ILR. That is no accident considering that is how the school markets itself. No one is going to begrudge for finding what you are passionate about and perusing it. You aren't the first ILRie to find and pursue a passionate for high finance, and you won't be last.
My one piece of advice besides the obvious stuff would be to not misrepresent your finance knowledge. I know plenty of ILRies who have gotten BB ibd jobs without ever answering a technical. I also know a handful who decided to make it seem like they know more finance than they do. The result was the interviewer destroying them with technicals and not getting to go to superday. The caveat to this is know how to sell yourself and your passionate for the work because competition is too fierce to higher the non-finance major equivalent who thinks ehh, why not be a banker. You will see when you start going to info-sessions and stuff, that once recruiting season hits, everyone wants to be a banker. It must be something in the water.
Good luck man.
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