I recently got admitted to Emory, and I want to pursue career in the banking field. Help me!

Hello, I am an international student admitted to Emory through this application cycle. 

I wonder what I should plan and what I should study over the next few months. 

I am undergoing a very different educational curriculum from my country, so I am very nervous about my academic standing in the near future and even my chance of getting a job. 

I know this is not very related to this forum, but I have no other choice than to post this here (I am the first kid who's even going to college from my family, and I have no close connections who are knowledgeable of this process). 

Any other tips and advice will be highly appreciated. T.T.

Thank you so much in advance!

3 Comments
 

Congratulations on your admission to Emory! That's a fantastic achievement, especially as an international student and the first in your family to attend college. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some steps and advice to help you prepare for a career in banking:

  1. Understand the Banking Sector: Start by familiarizing yourself with the different areas within banking, such as investment banking, corporate banking, and retail banking. Knowing the distinctions will help you decide which path aligns with your interests and skills.

  2. Networking: Networking is crucial in the banking industry. Even as an international student, you can begin networking online. LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with Emory alumni working in banking. Don't hesitate to reach out for informational interviews to learn more about their career paths and seek advice.

  3. Academic Preparation: Focus on maintaining a strong GPA. Courses in finance, accounting, and economics will be particularly beneficial. If your curriculum is different, consider online resources or courses to build a foundational understanding of these subjects.

  4. Internships: Look for internship opportunities as early as possible. Internships are a key stepping stone to full-time positions in banking. Check Emory's career services for postings and networking events that can lead to internships.

  5. Skill Development: Banks look for candidates with strong analytical and quantitative skills. Familiarize yourself with financial modeling and valuation techniques. There are resources available on WSO and other platforms where you can learn these skills.

  6. WSO Resources: Utilize resources like the WSO Investment Banking Prep Pack, which includes guides on networking, resume editing, and interview preparation. These resources are tailored to help candidates break into banking.

  7. Stay Informed: Keep up with financial news and trends. Understanding the market will not only help you in interviews but also in networking conversations.

  8. Cultural Adaptation: As an international student, adapting to a new educational system and culture can be challenging. Engage with the international student office at Emory and participate in clubs and activities to build your network and support system.

  9. WSO Academy: Consider enrolling in the WSO Academy High Finance Offer program. It's designed to boost your chances of landing a high finance offer through a comprehensive 12-week program.

Remember, persistence and resilience are key. It's normal to feel nervous, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can achieve your goals. Best of luck on your journey to a career in banking!

Sources: What should I do over the next 3-5 years to improve my chances of an M7 B-School Admit?, 1st Yr Banking Analyst Open for Questions, Accounting major, can't seem to break into IB, ~3 months in. I really want to quit banking. What should I do?, Medical School --> IBanking

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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Congrats dude, it's a great school. If the goal is IB then your focus for your first year or two will be to knock out the pre-B-school requirements (micro, macro econ, financial accounting, calculus, some other stuff I can't remember but you can look up), and some general education requirements. You apply to Goizueta during sophomore year, and it's honestly not that hard to get in if you have at least a 3.5 GPA. Extracurriculars will help, especially if you can snag any kind of remotely relevant internship / work experience, but totally not necessary. Mostly just focus on getting good grades and building connections with professors who can write your recs. 

Once you're in, you'll probably want to major in finance, and the career center is your friend in terms of making sure you're on the right track with networking, interning, etc. Emory affords you a pretty flexible schedule so I recommend you take other classes you think are interesting. Atlanta's also a fun ass place to be a college student, though I hear it's gotten worse since I was there. Regardless, enjoy your time there. Literally every half-competent classmate I had ended up somewhere alright, and if you stay on the grind there's plenty of IB desks giving Emory kids a look.

 

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