What qualifications can I pursue to enhance my profile for IB recruitment? (Pre-Uni)
Hi everyone
So I've completed my A-Levels (AAA predicted) and now going into a gap year. I was wondering what qualifications there are that would enhance my profile for IB recruitment at uni (springs 1st yr, summers etc.) & that are quite respected, affordable, & have the ability to self-teach - looking to overall learn more about accounting/market related principles.
So far, I've came across:
- The CISI Level 2/3 in Securities & Investment which could be interesting.
- Certificate in Financial Studies (CeFS) by LIBF - Looks best as A-Level equiv. + 1 (of two) tests done online. Provides online platform for vids etc. to follow curriculum.
- CIMA - Expensive but I've heard of this.
- AAT - I knew of this one already so assume it is wider known. Looks good, but expensive cost associated.
Also - CFA is unavailable to me (Age) + seems like a qualification that's lost its prestige too.
Thanks in advance.
Can't personally say specifically which of these certifications are the best, but so few people applying for spring weeks at the beginning of uni will have any sort of certification so in some sense having one is more important than which specific course you'd pursue. Do enjoy your gap year though - there is plenty of time to think about recruiting.
Yeah thanks. I will be enjoying it, have some travel planned so I'm not sweating out a qualification lol. I'm more focused on doing something to keep my brain engaged when being out of education for 1 yr.
Idk why people throwing MS as if it is not possible to enjoy your gap year + work towards something simultaneously.
Networking > Certifications.
Honestly though, friend of mine is at a non target but been grinding networking since pre freshman year. Two years later he’s got SA offers from GS, BOFA, Jeff, and a few others I forget.
Hey, sounds interesting, working on networking too but mainly to gain advice than anything.
I'm wondering what region are you in? I read networking in the UK isn't as useful as it can be in USA (still good), but would love to hear more about your thoughts.
Thanks.
Sorry don’t use WSO much.
I’m currently in the US but the same concepts apply everywhere, and honestly throughout life in general.
The basic idea is you ask for advice, have then like you. Then you hit them back with updates a few months later and ask them for a call. It’s easy for them to talk about themselves when it’s the second call which gives you a chance to listen + ask good questions.
When people are networking with me, asking good questions really feels like my gauge for: is this person worth my time or not.
You keep doing this over and over and over again with multiple people and multiple shops until you have people willing to bat for you everywhere.
I’m at a MM firm and went to a non target, our 2024 SA pool was insanely good, probably the best I’ve ever seen. The only way to truly differentiate yourself from ~100-300 candidates that are all qualified, all want it, and all have been prepping for this, is networking. Having people when your name comes up say “yes let’s push aside these 50 ivy kids for this one kid from bumble fuck” is the only way you’ll get the interview. Now it gets much easier if you’re from a target school as your alumni network is much larger and more people will pick up the phone.
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