Dual threat (Low GPA, no internship experience) Dec ‘22 grad looking for advice to avoid working for Northwestern Mutual or Vector Marketing

Hello bored analysts! So as the title says im graduating in a couple of months with no relevant experience and a low GPA. I do, however, have a rough long term plan. 

The Plan: Get some decent paying finance job for several years in order to save up for a quality MSF. Hopefully then get a role in the intelligence community as an economic intelligence analyst. 

I find myself in this predicament as my security clearance was denied for a role due to drug use within the preceding 48 months. In the period of time from my application to that job until now my GPA slipped significantly (from a 3.7) due to being on a prescribed medication that messed me up and the suicide of a close friend (though last semester i pulled a 3.5 when i stopped taking the meds). Heres a bit more about my background

Pros:

-Go to a solid semi target (ND/BC/UVA/UNC/UMich)

-Major in finance with fairly strong grades in major

-Very strong people skills/articulate

-Strong non finance extracurricular/volunteer experience 

-Parents live in CT so NYC is easily commutable 

-Naturally inquisitive/adept problem solver

-Decent at excel/modeling 

Cons: 

-Cumulative GPA

-No relevant internship experience

-Haven’t networked much 

-No leadership roles in finance or business clubs

-No short term direction/passion for anything in particular in finance that im qualified for right now

In an ideal world id get an ER job but I know my GPA will preclude me from that. I have taken a number of classes and am interested in the renewables space. Intrigued by CRE development and have taken courses but think it is not helpful towards my goals/MSF application. 

If you were in my shoes what roles would you shoot for? Any roles that are “ER Lite”? Is FP&A advisable? Anyone happen to work in project finance for renewables? Any further advice would also be appreciated. 

2 Comments
 

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