Research: Does MA thesis matter?

Hi all,

I'm plotting my summer. Feel free to stab at anything below.

I applied for every SA position under the sun (yes, I know, I should be more specific next time) after being relatively late in the game in terms of deadlines for research positions. So, After a final interview for a BB IBD (is it common not to hear back at all after a final interview? it's been nearly two weeks since my last round), I decided I may do better specializing and getting my MA thesis out of the way instead of interning.

I know nobody's gonna have a whole lot of time to read a 75 page MA thesis, but when interviewing for research (in my case, fixed income research) positions, how can this play a role in my candidacy? By the way I'm looking for a BB FI or currency research role, but middle market firms are cool too.

Also, since I'm getting a degree in int'l econ, should I pad things up by studying for the CFA level 1 exam? What kind of folks am I competing with here?

The way I look at is that instead of doing a training program for something that I'm not sure about, I can specialize and conquer a FT role in the fall.

3 Comments
 
Best Response
huaerjielvzhouHi all,

I'm plotting my summer. Feel free to stab at anything below.

I applied for every SA position under the sun (yes, I know, I should be more specific next time) after being relatively late in the game in terms of deadlines for research positions. So, After a final interview for a BB IBD (is it common not to hear back at all after a final interview? it's been nearly two weeks since my last round), I decided I may do better specializing and getting my MA thesis out of the way instead of interning.

I know nobody's gonna have a whole lot of time to read a 75 page MA thesis, but when interviewing for research (in my case, fixed income research) positions, how can this play a role in my candidacy? By the way I'm looking for a BB FI or currency research role, but middle market firms are cool too.

Also, since I'm getting a degree in int'l econ, should I pad things up by studying for the CFA level 1 exam? What kind of folks am I competing with here?

The way I look at is that instead of doing a training program for something that I'm not sure about, I can specialize and conquer a FT role in the fall.

WHO THE FUCK WRITES A 75 PAGE MASTERS THESIS?????

EPIC FAIL

 
Affirmative_Action_Walrus
huaerjielvzhouHi all,

I'm plotting my summer. Feel free to stab at anything below.

I applied for every SA position under the sun (yes, I know, I should be more specific next time) after being relatively late in the game in terms of deadlines for research positions. So, After a final interview for a BB IBD (is it common not to hear back at all after a final interview? it's been nearly two weeks since my last round), I decided I may do better specializing and getting my MA thesis out of the way instead of interning.

I know nobody's gonna have a whole lot of time to read a 75 page MA thesis, but when interviewing for research (in my case, fixed income research) positions, how can this play a role in my candidacy? By the way I'm looking for a BB FI or currency research role, but middle market firms are cool too.

Also, since I'm getting a degree in int'l econ, should I pad things up by studying for the CFA level 1 exam? What kind of folks am I competing with here?

The way I look at is that instead of doing a training program for something that I'm not sure about, I can specialize and conquer a FT role in the fall.

WHO THE FUCK WRITES A 75 PAGE MASTERS THESIS?????

EPIC FAIL

Umm..... just about every one ?

 

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