Please Help me Gameplan

Please ignore my username, law isn't in the cards for me anymore...

For background: I graduated top of my class at a good (top 100) undergrad, won some awards, etc. Started my career doing quantitative risk at a large buy-side shop, stayed for two years and passed all three CFA exams. I recently (less than 6 months) ago started working at a good midwest MM bank on their ECM desk. However, since I started I've had some developments in my life and I'd like to move to Minneapolis sooner rather than later. My reasons would likely be a benefit for interviewing (proof of commitment to area).

Questions: -With my odd background but strong proof of talent (CFA, test scores in the 99+ percentile, top performer at first job, other proof of high intelligence), do I have a chance at moving into a coverage or M&A group at Piper / HL / Lazard? -Are there any other Minneapolis banks I should look at? -If my goal is to stick it out the rest of this year and then look to move early 2018, what should I do in the meantime? -Would my background be appealing to any of the PE / hedge funds up there, and how should I approach targeting those opportunities?

Thank you so much for any thoughts - it sucks that I already have to start thinking about a new job but here I am.

4 Comments
 
Best Response

Thanks! It was difficult. I did a combination of both - some sections better lended themselves to the curriculum, some to Schweser. Level II especially it was key to know when the curriculum was just a waste of time and when it was worth reading. But the most important thing I did was just drill questions for endless hours. End of chapter practice questions in CFA and Schweser, Schweser Qbank, CFA Institute has online quizzes that are great references... Do questions, learn what you don't know, go back and review until you do know it, then do more questions to commit it to memory.

 

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