High GPA, top west coast school, how to get into finance?
I'd like some advice on getting into finance. Primarily I'm looking for some kind of junior/assistant trader or i-banking entry level position.
I graduated fairly recently from Caltech with a 3.8 GPA, double major with a bonus MS in electrical/computer engineering, and a BS in business/econ/management. Caltech is one of the top schools, but from what I gather not a target school. However, I'm hoping that won't count against me too much.
Immediately after graduation, I went into a startup, then large company. I began as technical staff working on algorithms and software for the company's chips, and was then shortly promoted to senior staff for my accomplishments. By this summer I'll have two years professional experience. I want to leave my current company because the problems to solve are too rigid, I don't feel like I'm generating a lot of value for the company even with all that I've done, and even in such a short period of time that I've been there the community has changed into an H-1B Visa farm for HR's bottom line making productive networking or collaboration increasingly difficult.
That's my story. Any tips for breaking in greatly appreciated.
Find Caltech alumni that are in banking -- you're in a very unique position because you're obviously highly qualified (despite your lack of finance experience). You can definitely make it into IB
Posts like this make me cringe. Arguably THE hardest school to get into undergrad and a 3.8 doing a hard science and your considering ibanking entry level? You're probably way too intellectual for this stuff and the brain drain really kills me on the inside whenever I hear about it.
I'm assuming that you're still in Cali. There are probably a decent number of firms in TMT that would want someone with a background such as yours. I'd network with people since I doubt "finance" shows up on your resume well. Maybe you can lateral to a financial analyst position at your firm. But really, do yourself a favor and consider a different career option which appreciates your intellect and won't treat you like a talking monkey.
WOW! 3.8 in electrical engineering at Caltech. You are a damned genius.
Provided that you have a good personality and that this shows through the interviews, you are set for life. While GPA doesn't matter after your first job, being an electrical engineer from Caltech shows you are wicked smart.
Dude if you wanna do the business route, you really should be looking at top notch consulting firms with those stats. Way more selective and more intellectually satisfying
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