Post MFin IB with no prior experience
Hi - first-time poster so apologies If I've unknowingly violated some forum rules (please do let me know if so).
Looking for some advice, opinions, or a sense/reality check. Bit of background - graduated from a target school in the UK with a Bsc+Msc in maths and cs, did ok-ish on the Bsc and exceptionally well on the Msc. Was lucky enough that one of my Msc supervisors was the ex-cfo of an AM firm (not going to mention which for his anonymity) and developed an interest in finance but at that point it was too late to apply for finance roles as I had no relevant experience (or knowledge).
Where I am now - pivoted to consulting last minute post Msc, 1.5 years work experience, consulting shop where I work specialises in working with asset managers so I've had good exposure to the AM industry, it is no MBB but well regarded by its clients, got decent leadership experience driving some internal business initiatives, have taken the time to self-teach myself a reasonable amount of finance (NYU Stern's Damodaran's Corporate Finance and Valuation MBA courses + CFA level 1) and am quite set on trying to break into IB, but torn between my options:
1- Hold out for another 2-3 years, beef up CV with more leadership + volunteer experience --> top MBA --> Intern during MBA --> FT Associate. Could also try to jump to a bigger brand-name shop but I know a couple of people who landed top MBA's while working here, so not sure if the current smaller shop but good leadership opportunities would be better than jumping to a bigger shop but potentially less leadership exposure on my CV
2- Apply for an MFin starting next year --> try to land an IB analyst role. Being a non-uk citizen my visa situation means I can't quit my job and do a SA stint the summer before my MFin (I'd lose my work visa, and speaking to friends at banks they don't sponsor visas for SAs). Masters degrees here in the UK are 1-year long (except for MBA's which are two years) so I would have to apply to full-time positions at the start of my MFin with no banking internships
Pros of MFin:
1- Earlier start
2- Cheaper (1 year vs 2-year MBA)
3- Starting at analyst means I can still have a decent shot at PE recruiting
Cons of MFin:
1- Not sure how realistic it is to get an IB FT offer with no previous IB internships
2- If I don't get an IB FT offer then I'd probably be SOL and close future doors (essentially would be wasting a year, a good sum of money, and harder to explain why I'd want to do an MBA after having two Masters if I wanted to go down the MBA route in the future)
The biggest draw for an MFin is the possibility of recruiting for PE after landing an analyst role, the biggest con is potentially shutting myself out of an MBA, although I suppose this comes down to what's harder - post MFin analyst role with no internships, or post MBA associate with an internship (assuming I can secure one during my MBA)
This post is already getting kind of rambly so I'll stop here, but would appreciate any thoughts/advice.
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