Good things to do before starting as a full time analyst?
Just got a return offer as a Structurer in S&T at a top 3 US bank - have several months of free time left before I start (during which I'll still go to school, ofc). I'm making plans for these months ahead, pondering what things I should do (besides keeping my GPA ok).
I suppose, once I start as a full-time, it'll be hard to ever get several months again all for myself. So I just wanna hear from the veterans on this amazing forum - What are some things you recommend doing, or wish you had done before you started working?
Like in terms of personal development, or skill-polishing, or relaxation, or anything else - really would appreciate any thoughts or advice. Thanks a lot :)
Take that trip you've always wanted to do. I went to Europe with 10 of my close friends for a few weeks.
Congrats on the FT offer. You're about to make a big leap into the big-boy world, and I wish you the best of luck with your career and everything it entails.
TRAVEL. You're about to join on the lowest rung of the totem pole, which I believe you know. Your free time, ability to make personal choices, and DtD flexibility will be severely hindered in the coming months. Will you be a total slave, lacking any personal choices? No - but you're going to be severely limited on personal options until you reach Sr Analyst or Associate roles, and may not have total flexibility until you move to upper management.
Think about what you want to do... something that you always couldn't make happen because of any reason. Financial? Social? Schooling? Not anymore. You know that sign-on and return bonus is coming, you have no obligations in this period... fuck it! Why not? Go buy a plane ticket and spend 2-3 weeks just doing what you want to do. If what you want to do is go to Asia to get an exotic experience, then do that. If you're content with staying in your state and going to a cabin by yourself, then do that. Just be sure to remove yourself physically from your a) current location, and b) where you'll be working. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
About a MONTH before your first day, start getting your affairs in order. Order the proper work clothes, familiarize yourself with the traffic route to work, figure out what's in your neighborhood, etc. This will make your first day a lot less of a culture shock, and any anxiety/nerves that you may face prior to the first day (speaking from experience) will be alleviated.
Best of luck to you in the future. Go get 'em!
Thanks so much for this!
Similique id ut repellendus iure expedita. Omnis quis enim quae et hic. Sed officia officiis rerum nisi sit dolores.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...