Gap Year

Hi guys,

So I graduated from a top tier British university in 2020 with good grades, and was a little lost as to what to do next. I hadn't secured an offer from a firm, and the Covid pandemic sort of disrupted any chance of a backdoor attempt for some experience at a boutique etc. I decided then to take the year off as my family needed some help back home, and it would give me a chance to apply for masters and reconsider what I wanted to do. I am returning to London to go to LBS for a masters, and will look once again to break into IB through off cycle internships etc. During my gap year, I did the HBS CORe program, CFA Level 1, two certifications in Python, one in financial modelling, briefly worked with a start up,  travelling a little and played Pro level tennis in India (with mixed success). I was supposed to intern at a boutique over the summer, but that got royally fucked due to the brutal 2nd wave in India.

My main concern is my last real proper work ex on my CV is from 2019 (with JP Morgan mid office in London, didn't like the role, but manager wrote my rec for LBS). I have two other solid finance internships on my cv (one in Singapore, one in India). But my worry is, will this gap hurt my chances very badly, or is it only a minor setback that I shouldn't stress too much about.

I am also 23, so getting a little old lol

Thanks guys