Need advice as a non-target junior

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice on what to do in the near future and maybe different perspectives on what I can do.

A background on myself so you guys get the picture:

Currently a third-year at a non-target (state school with ~10 alum who've ever gotten into IB) studying econ. My gpa is 3.63 (got cucked by business frat pledging and honestly didn't place enough importance on it on it because I thought I didn't need to) but will be a 3.74 after this semester of all A's (on track for that and will make sure it happens). Also currently working as a finance & accounting intern at a fintech startup and will be as summer analyst in a MM firm's public finance group next summer (top 10 shop for public finance). I didn't know I wanted to do IB until a month and half ago, but since then, I've been trying my best to prep. I have on average one networking call a day during the work week, and have been mostly consistent with studying technicals and behaviorals. It's been a bit of trial and error in terms of studying routine/approach but I'm trying to settle on something sustainable.

As of now I have 3 options I'm considering:

  • Try to get an off-cycle boutique internship during the coming spring and leverage that as well as my public finance internship for FT recruiting.
  • Delay my graduation by a semester and recruit for SA 2025.
  • Work in public finance full-time if I get the return offer and try to pivot afterwards.

Let me know what you guys think. I've really been trying but honestly it's a all a bit overwhelming when considering my situation and of course inevitably comparing myself to others. The only thing that's looking up for me right now is my networking. I've had some great calls with people who tell me to reach back out so they can put me in front of the right eyes, that I'm the kind of person their group would be looking for, etc, etc. I don't know how much of this is true but it's motivating at the very least.

Well yeah, this is long enough but just looking for any and all perspectives. Thanks!

1 Comments
 

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