Looking for Career Advice - IB Experience in China, Moving To The U.S.
Hey everyone,
I’m hoping to get some advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation or has experience navigating the U.S. job market.
A little about me: I’ve been working in investment banking in another country for about 3 years—2 years in IB at a bank and just under a year in investment. During that time, I worked on a few IPO projects, and I think that could be useful as I start looking for opportunities in the U.S.
I’m still definitely open to IB in the U.S., especially with my IPO experience, but I know it’s super competitive and I don’t expect it to be easy. Honestly, I didn’t love the policy-heavy and compliance-driven side of IB in my country, so I’m also looking at other options like consulting or corporate finance.
I’ve also got some experience in the consumer electronics sector, mostly through the IPO projects I worked on, which involved electronics and manufacturing. My role was limited since I was an associate, but I feel I learned a lot and would love to continue building on that.
I’m in the process of moving to the U.S., and my visa should be sorted out soon (no sponsor needed). I know my undergrad and grad degrees are from non-target schools, which could make networking a bit harder, but I’m hoping my experience will help make up for that.
I’m really just wondering if anyone has advice on how to position myself in the U.S. job market, and if there are any locations or regions where the job market might be more accessible for someone with my background.
Any thoughts or advice would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
I think your best shot might be doing an MBA then re-recruit. Correct me if im wrong, I think the skillset to being a banker in Mainland China is quite different from US/ Europe. For example: banker's role in IPO in china is mostly drafting prospectus vs here that is mostly being delegated to lawyers. Chinese IB doesn’t have as much of a global presence to HR unless you work for a western BB or any well-known name.
Thanks very much for your advice! I do agree with you on an MBA degree as a gateway to the U.S. job market, but that for me may not be viable, since I have to land a job in the U.S. first. This is exactly the reason why I’m worrying about the transition to the U.S.: It is a hard landing without an MBA as a cushion. Do you have any other option in mind even if it involves some detours I have to make?
quick pull from linkedin i see people going from CICC IB to cornell MBA/ HK BB mid office to oxford MBA so I would assume that is viable. I mean it doesn't hurt to try to apply to lateral positions now and see if you can hear back from any? I would assume maybe some LMM would be interested assuming you are solid on the interviews (technicals and Behav).
wonder if language would also be a barrier for you (i assume you have a greencard so this shouldnt be a problem?)
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