my impossible possibilities
Goal: Bulge Bracket I-banker(if there is a god in heaven)
Background:
Ivy league graduate with horrible gpa and academic record
Major: applied mathematics
Resume - mainly technical work in small groups with some leadership positions.
I was rabid in extracurricular activities from hip hop group to break dancing to entrepreneurship program etc...
Option 1:
PRESS my social network now to get a position at a boutique firm outside of recruiting. will probably need a serious favor given my academic record, and a lot of my friends are probably still just analysts -- although my extended network may have a few associates. of course this will mean that I will never get my mba. NEVER, because of my gpa.
Option 2:
GO get a masters in applied math at my alma mater. I did some undergraduate research and could maybe get in the back door with good recommendations. And, assumin i get a slammin gpa on the masters level...
____Option 2a:
APPLY for a structurer role. will I be competitive for the structuring job, or will my undergrad gpa still play a strong role? Also, is this really the province of international students and science nerds[excuse the generalizations, I use them for the sake of brevity] or do structurers mix well with those in sales & trading from a more traditional path[frat boys and young overachievers]
____Option 2b:
INTERVIEW for the traditional college recruiting track as a masters student. First of all, is this possible? If so, is this wise over the structuring role(option 2a)? I am not sure how it looks to apply to multiple positions(different paygrades) at the same firm.
Normally, these long posts only get partially answered. I structured the post to make it easier to respond to the part that interests you. Any comments are appreciated.
------------------------------
Getting a dope i-banking job at a bulge bracket firm is worth millions, option 3... priceless.
URM?
I assume you mean 'underrepresented minority'. Yes, I am 1/2 black 1/2 hispanic.
Don't go and get an MBA. An MBA without 4-5 years of experience is not going to impress anybody. Well, it might impress some if your GPA jumps in grad school, but not by a ton.
I'd say network, network, network. All Ivies have tons of alumni willing to help out someone at their alma mater. Since you are a URM, that'll be an even bigger bonus. Are you involved at all at school? If so, that's another plus.
If you can't get an internship through networking, try to get an opportunity in Corp Fin with a Fortune 500 company. Anything to get you experience in valuation.
3 N's, Network, Network, Network.
What makes you think it's easier to get a structuring role than an IB role? In my experience it was the other way around.
How shit is your gpa?
Sunt aut qui tempora. Quia aut fugit non quis quo.
Facere cupiditate unde commodi libero at. Quis pariatur ipsum esse eligendi molestiae et architecto. Et ad impedit eum impedit saepe. Dolor est odio in eos iusto blanditiis.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...