Need Some Career Advice

I'll be quick with this -

Liberal Arts undergrad
MBA (no concentration) student graduating in December
No relevant finance experience outside of academia
No finance internship

I'm very interested in investments and trading, but given my background I know I don't have a realistic shot at any of the normal WSO jobs. I'm just interested in getting my foot in the door somewhere, preferably as a broker or financial adviser. I'd like to stay out of insurance. My background is primarily in marketing and PR. I've interned in Congress and I'm in the student government. So I really don't have any actual finance experience. I also don't have time for another internship. My last semester of grad school is coming up and I could have a very easy semester or take finance electives. I could take 3 out of the following classes:

5307. Applied Econometrics I (3). Prerequisite: AAEC 4302. Advanced statistical methods, including multiple regression analysis, for applied economic problems; constructing econometric models; multicollinearity, autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, and related problems

5324. Financial Statement Analysis and Equity Valuation (3). Prerequisites: Admission to M.S. in Finance program (or consent of instructor) and FIN 5320. In-depth financial analysis leading to equity valuation.

5329. The Money and Capital Markets (3). Prerequisites: Admission to finance concentration in M.S./B.A. program (or consent of instructor) and FIN 4330 or 5320. Determination of saving-investment, demand for funds, theory of interest rates, portfolio selection, security pricing. Examination of money markets, bond markets, mortgage markets, tax-exempt markets.

5333. The U.S. Financial System in a Global Environment (3). Prerequisites: Admission to finance concentration in M.S./B.A. program and ACCT 5401 or 5301, and any 5000-level finance course. Introduction to operations, mechanics, and structure of the financial system. Financial institutions, money and capital markets, financial instruments, regulations, monetary policy, international financial system.

I suppose my main question is, is it worth it? Is it worth the hard work if I don't stand a chance against candidates with BBA's in Finance and internship experience? As always I sincerely appreciate any advice and feedback. A little brutal honesty and condescension never hurt anyone ;)

P.S.

Please don't ask why I'm just now discovering my interest in finance. Late maturity I suppose, but it is a legitimate interest.

1 Comments
 

Voluptatem perferendis nihil labore reiciendis iusto inventore. Nostrum commodi officia est ut consequatur dolores id. Est quas maxime et culpa sequi unde et. Quia facilis ipsum quis omnis est repellat molestiae. Consequatur sit soluta blanditiis. Quia minus voluptatum laborum rerum esse quo. Accusamus molestias cum et optio.

Itaque ab molestias rerum sit fugit quis. Doloribus aut harum laboriosam magni aliquid veniam est. Iusto reprehenderit facilis omnis. Magnam eum veritatis quo sunt est nam dolorem fuga.

Provident nihil asperiores qui quisquam et quasi. Blanditiis aliquam ipsam et quas voluptas et est.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”