So due to some pretty shitty non-school related issues of my own, my GPA dropped below a 3.0 after this past semester, with me failing 2 absolute BS classes. I mean total joke, gimme an A type of deals. However, i still have solid GPA's in both of my majors (3.4 with the hardest parts out of the way). Also, i'll have some other supplements to my resume that could really help out, or so i think. First i have a glowing rec from the most well respected professor in my field of study, who i completed a very well reviewed independent study with. I've also interned the past two summers (and over winter break) for a pretty large insurance company in their investments department doing a lot of back office type work. I'll have another top notch rec from that, i worked really closely with my manager and was her go to guy for the most involved work because of my excel skills/attentiveness. Along the same lines, i really lucked out and became friendly with the VP of operations who also said he'd put himself out there for me on a rec.
So i have three main questions here: first, do any of those supplements hold any weight whatsoever? Secondly, what type of chance at any job in the financial field with an estimated 3.1ish GPA from a decent (ugh) liberal arts school? Lastly, what type of jobs should i be targeting? Honestly, i'd take mostly any position in banking, or any semi decent financial position in NYC, and just want to know if this is a realistic target.
Thanks a lot guys
You're toast.
I'm not in finance. I'm a rising freshman in college, so take this with a grain of salt. I read that networking is more important than your GPA. So, you might be O.K., since it sounds like you have solid connections. A 3.4 is not a terrible GPA anyway, from what I read you can definitely do BO work with a 3.4. and there is a thread where someone asked if a sub- 3.5 GPA could land a IB job and the general consensus was yes. So, I guess, just work hard next year.
Network & cold call for boutique firms. Some how show your interest.
You will never get a response if you just apply. Im from a top10 ug bschool and I can't get anybody to talk to me, apart from network contacts.
Also check out sales and financial advising.
Take this with a grain of salt, coming from a MD that is in charge of underwriting for microsoft, GE, UPS, Coca cola and such companies once told me... unless you are from Wharton or Harvard we don't want to hear your sob story about your bad GPA.
Wake up sunshine recs don't mean anything, go back to those you worked for and ask them if they know anyone in IB that's how you network, the only way you will get in is through the back door.
thats what she said
Ok besides cold calling and networking the shit out of any and every resource i can find, what are some other things i can do to separate myself? Getting Microsoft certified for excel? Doing independent financial modeling courses? Also, are there any other types of entry level jobs in some less competitive fields that have reasonable turnover rate into banking or financial positions of similar stature? Thanks for the input, looking forward to the responses.
Pick up some kind of financial-ish job, even if it's not your first choice, and work on the CFA Program. You're fighting a double battle against both GPA and also a bad job market in general...it's hard for people with good credentials also. I'd say the CFA Program is the best bet at the moment to differentiate yourself, since it's not like grad school where you have to apply.
Good recommendations are nice to have but recruiters, especially in IB, won't get that far down your app before you are dinged. A 3.1 GPA from a non-target is going to be difficult to overcome but not impossible. If your major GPA is higher than your cumulative I would put that down on my resume. I would also recommend taking the GMAT. If you can score well on the GMAT you can at least show that you have the brains to work in finance, that could help relieve the concerns recruiters might have about your actual ability to do the work. Plus, it is something you can put on your resume in a short time. The CFA is a good choice if you want to do asset management, the problem is that if you are going into your senior year you won't know that you passed until January, which is well past normal recruiting deadlines. Being able to put that you are a level 1 candidate could help though. Your best best at this point is working the connections you made with your internships and try to get an asset management position through them. You are in a bad spot in a bad market so network hard, cast a wide net, and don't be too picky if something comes along.
Yeah my major gpa's are both better (3.4/3.5) and have my hardest classes out of the way so they should at the absolute and i mean absolute worse stay the same. I'm gonna try and cold call and network for sure, but i'm starting to realize IB might not be realistic. Those networking calls/meetings would be longer term. I'm going to just try and take whatever finance related position i can in NYC. I'm debating between CFA and GMAT however. My standardized test scores were absolutely the strong point on my college app (high 1400s, pretty even split) with little prep, so im figuring that with enough effort i can compensate for those grades. Anyone have any suggestions for the target type entry position i outlined earlier? Something i can do a year or two max that wouldnt be a complete killer in transitioning to banking.
Big 4 accounting.
I was actually wondering about that, but my accounting background is limited. I'm and econ and finance double major. Will i have to take the CPA? I really really don't want to do that. If not i'd def grind it out at a big 4 accounting firm. BTW BB banking is not in my future (unless i get really lucky with networking) and will be looking for boutique jobs. Thanks a lot for the responses i really really appreciate all this info.
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