From Engineering to an Analyst Position
My background is as follows:
Electrical Engineering - University of British Columbia, 2011 (71%, 3.0ish GPA)
R&D Engineer for a startup for 2 years.
Software Engineer for a small Telecom firm ~ 1 year. [Still work here]
-> I Co-manage a non-profit focussed on street children in an African Country.
-> Recently launched a small cloud-service based startup on the side.
-> Canadian/European Passport
-> 50k USD saved up.
Goal: Analyst position at BB/HedgeFund in Europe or North America.
I am 23 years old and have worked as an engineer for close to 3 years now. I have been very active in investing since college, and have a strong interest in finance, business as well as engineering. I don't see myself as an engineer much longer, and wish to have a career were I can have more of an impact. I believe getting my foot in the door with an Analyst position open these career opportunities for me. My focus will be on analyst positions in the tech/telecom and emerging markets for a bank/hedgefund.
My ugrad gpa is horrible. I don't have enough experience for a MBA. And with my gpa I wont have a chance at any of the top/target schools.
I am considering 'fixing' my gpa by doing a Master of Engineering program. With the hope that a good GPA in my masters will give me a shot at getting into a target school for a MFE. Or perhaps a top MBA after more work experience..
For September 2014 I got into the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney and King's College London. All for a master of engineering coursework. What would be the best option out of these schools. I got dinged at all the target schools I applied to presumably because of my gpa. I am leaning towards King's College. Since there are lots of firms in London, and the degree is quant heavy with a minor in management.
I realize a Master Engineering degree from King's College might not be enough to break in. Do you think it will be a good stepping stone to get into a strong finance program (MFIN/MFE) at a target school?
What do you guys think will be the best sets of steps I could take to break into the industry? Thanks for reading..
I think you are wasting your time doing a Masters in Engineering to get in. I too done engineering at university but have a 4.0GPA and couldn't even get an interview at a bulge bracket!
What would you suggest instead?
If you want to be an analyst, don't spend another 2-3 years doing a Masters of Engineering. Sounds like you're doing a round-a-bout way of breaking in. GPA shouldn't matter as much, given you're 2-3 years out working.
At which schools would I have a chance with my stats? I looked at LSE, UCL and ICL and they all require around 77% average.
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