Too late to land a top IB role?
I'm currently a sophomore at Cornell with a low 3.8 GPA in a pretty easy major. I wasn't really that motivated my freshman year and I'm not that involved at clubs on campus besides a few random ones.
I'm planning to turn all of this around and really grind on the IB track. The problem is I see all my upperclassman peers who have landed spots at GS/MS/JP have done so much more than me their freshman and sophomore year. They're already in top leadership positions at the finance clubs at Cornell, held prestigious internships their freshman and sophomore year, and had much better grades.
Is there a realistic chance that I can still find myself at the top tier BBs and banks given my current situation. I'm gonna completely grind and do everything I can my sophomore year to improve my chances, but still I feel like I'm competing with peers who are already much more accomplished and qualified than me.
First, stop comparing your journey with other people. While it is good to follow a template, everyone has their own pace.
Second, Barclays just hired a career-ER person as vice chairman of IB. So as a sophomore, saying you are late to anything is ridiculous.
Lastly, if you keep grinding you will get something good. Life is short but not that short. Don't panic, stop comparing, and keep up the grind.
You are totally fine. If you start networking in earnest between now and Thanksgiving you will basically be on track... Just start networking and also figure out a sophomore internship. WSO advice is usually slanted towards non-targets, especially at an Ivy many many people land IB without doing freshman internships + only getting started sophomore fall.
Yes clubs help but you're at an Ivy with a strong GPA (low 3.8 is totally fine. don't even think about it). If you can still join any of the finance clubs do so, but you're in a fine seat.
Also yes the top BBs are great but really any BB, EB or even strong MM will set you up for success. Don't get too obsessed with it MUST be top BB, spread your networking/options out.
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