Computer Science to Investment Banking?
Hey,
I'm going to be attending the University of Toronto (Not too highly ranked for business, but is 10th in the world for CS) this September and am planning on doing a Computer Science degree. I'm interested in both CS and Finance so was wondering if by doing a double major, I could compete with some of those Finance grads for jobs in Investment Banking?
Appreciate the advice
It depends more on the individual than the university or the program.
I went to Waterloo and graduated from a dual-degree in computer science and accounting & finance. I worked in programming and software development for most of my earlier co-op terms, then slowly transitioned into trading, private equity, and eventually graduated and worked for three years in investment banking.
Was it difficult coming from a computer science background to go into finance? Yes. But was it impossible? No. You can definitely do your computer science degree and still have a shot at investment banking. The key factors you need to make up for in comparison to students in finance or business programs would be: 1. Fundamental knowledge of basic accounting and finance concepts. You can consider the CSC, CFA Level I, following the stock market, reading Investment Banking Valuation books and guides 2. Network within the finance community. You can attend conferences like YFC, QFAC, hEDGE, NIBC
Your undergrad program definitely plays a role in your chances of getting into a career in finance, and specifically investment banking. But it's as much as you would think, there are various other factors that play a bigger role.
How to get into IB from an Ivy League school as a computer science major? (Originally Posted: 11/04/2015)
I'm a junior at a target Ivy League school and I'm majoring in computer science. This summer I can either take a job with a relative's very small/startup investment bank (don't really know anything about it other than it operates out of Boston and a certain pacific country, but I trust my relative) or as a programmer with a handful of banks.
I have a good number of personal projects but they are of course all programming related. I have no relevant finance experience really.
Should I take a job with the relative's investment bank or take a programming job and then try to go for full time ib recruiting in the fall?
My gpa is around 3.6ish, might be a little lower next year.
Is it even possible for me to get an IB job at this point?
I'm no expert, but you're doing a good major at an ivy league and have a solid GPA, so I wouldn't worry too much. Also, I think that if you want to do IB, get as much direct IB experience as possible i.e. go work for your relative.
I guess also start thinking about networking for FT recruiting now.
I feel like a similar version of this question gets asked at least once a week, and the answer is always the same: when you want to get into IB, always choose the IB internship, even if it is at a "no-name" boutique. The reason why IB internships matter (outside of being able to convert from SA to FT) is because they demonstrate that you have a legitimate interest in IB. If you take this programming job, you will probably get zero interviews during FT recruiting because while you will have some great experience, all that experience will be in programming. Potential interviewers will see your resume and immediately toss it thinking "this kid just learned about IB yesterday and is applying just because".
Umm... why don't you just do OCR and get a BB/EB SA internship? Banks are doing info sessions right now at my school and you're definitely a super competitive candidate as a CS major with a 3.6 - you won't have any problems getting first rounds with just a little networking.
hmm I already got rejected by like 3 different investment banks for even an initial interview despite getting pretty good responses on my résumé from tech companies.
I actually technically have a 4.0 because I just transferred to this school and got an A on a course here over the summer (had a 3.9 at old school). I said 3.6 because that's what I expect my GPA to be after this semester and from now on.
But yeah even with a 4.0 on my résumé (and I do detail how long I've been at this school, so I'm not misrepresenting myself) at an Ivy and 3.9 at random school, have had zero luck with OCR for IB.
Just curious, but why would you want to work at a bank instead of a tech company as a dev?
As an update, I decided to stick with programming and then transition to management after an MBA.
Same way all the English majors get into IB.
@Attack_Chihuaha" What waj might that be?
Going from Computer Science to Investment Banking (Originally Posted: 02/09/2018)
Hello guys, some basic information about me, I am graduating from a State School (Virginia Tech) in Computer Science and I am looking to move into Investment Banking after I graduate because doing corporate software engineering if not for me. I have an alright GPA ~3.3 can probably get it to a 3.4-3.5 before I graduate, I'm involved in the trading group at my school and I trade a portion of my schools endowment. Since my school isn't geographically located well in terms of NYC or another school I feel like I'm starting out disadvantaged but I am willing to do the work to prepare for the recruiting season in 2019, I've worked at previous jobs for software at AT&T and Cap1, could anyone give me some good resources and advice on preparing the best way to make the switch and to prepare myself best for interviews?
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