Embarrassing But Serious Career Advice Needed!
Hello, I came across this site a few days ago and I've really enjoyed reading your posts and discussions. I figured I'd put my dignity aside and ask this belittling question. Here goes and I warn you its far from wall street glamorous, I just hope I dont get the boot after this is posted!
I'm 27, I graduated in 05' with a degree in Economics from a state university. Since graduating i've had a difficult time breaking into the world of finance. Shortly after graduation, I became a manager at Abercrombie & Fitch of all places! Other than the young, stupid, beautiful girls it was horrible. It started as a way to make some cash while I tried to find a job in fiance but before I knew it, 2 years had passed and I had become jut another poor lost soul in retail world. I finally quit which was the smartest decision i've made in years and eventually ended up in an office job doing "busy work" at the corporate office of a mortgage lender.
Now I know a job as a hedge fund analyst on wall street is out of the question but I was hoping some of you might have some advice for me on how I can get a start in the financial industry. I did well in school, I'm a very hard worker, motivated (now more than ever) and I just want a shot before it becomes to late. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
- Justin
network, look for jobs. with your resume, the only shot you have is at the finance side of a corporate, but luckily you at least are doing something financy now and not still at a&f. it may be worth getting an mba at some time, although you'd have to do it pretty soon given your age...
truth be told, given that you're 27, i'd say your best bet at this point is to get into a big corporation and just try and rise.
unless you're extraordinarily lucky, high finance is probably not in your future (although maybe you could pull a back office gig?)
It must be a hard situation. To be honest, with such a tough job market it is going to be extra hard to find a finance job since you will be competing with people who were recently laid off. However, it's not to say that obtaining this job is impossible. Don't ever quit with your goals.
What I advice you to do is: get really involved with the community and other extra curriculum activities. Take the gmat (if you haven't already done so) and go back to school and work towards obtaining an MBA. It will be tough getting into a really good school, but if this fails, go with a decent school (top 50). Hopefully, by obtaining you MBA you can get in the industry at the associate level. I would try boutique IB's since their recruiting is usually less structured than BB. Lastly, you should try to offer your services for free. By doing this you would show a firm you are ambitious and willing to learn. If you are good they will keep you.
Hopes this helps. Best of luck!
Don't sell yourself short. Assuming you peformed well in college and can get a solid gmat score and craft a compelling business school application there is no reason why you cant change paths and get into finance. XQ has no idea what he is talking about and is probably still in college himself. 27,28,29 is not too old for business school and you would fall well within the range.
I would spend the next 12-24 months getting involved in the community, taking on leadership roles, showing growth/responsibility in your current position, take the GMATs and then apply to business school in Round 1 in 2009 or 2010
Good luck
Is it possible to go corporate with Abercombie & Fitch? You should explore that.
A girlfriend lost a job in consulting and was out of work for over 8 months. She was desperate. Couldn't find a thing. So she took a retail job at H2O Plus. Some money is better than no money, right? A few months later she found a position in the corporate office in marketing. She's now an international product manager. Something like that.
just become a stockbroker.
We're about to enter a Great Depression. Don't you want a president who's already dressed for it?
I agree with JBS. If you did well in school, no reason you can't craft a good application to b-school with the right gmat score and some community work. Although this is probably the most competitive time to be applying, getting your MBA is definitely the most effective way for you to break into finance.
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