Please help on my career direction and business school choice

First of all, thanks for clicking in and reading this. I feel kind of lost in my career path and maybe in life in recent months and really need you fellow monkeys' advice.

I just graduated last year from a non-target in the states and worked as SA at a tier 2 global bank in Hong Kong during junior summer. I had the return offer but rejected it (for a few reasons). I've worked in a entry-level data science position at a financial engineering company after graduated because I thought at the time this experience could be my leverage in the future and I couldn't land a FA position in a decent bank. Something bad happened in my family at the beginning of the year and I had to resign, relocate back to southwest and help to have some properties foreclosed.

After settling down things, I have been looking for jobs about 3.5 weeks as I know this road could continue very long. I realize I have to make my comeback to IB now and I understand its gonna be extreme difficult. I've called every alumnus I knew in the region and asked about junior positions (even in S&T or compliance department) at their company (so I might transit to IBD later). I've been try networking with people I had just one conversation with before and alumni in adjacent regions, then implicitly express my current situation. I've landed a few interviews, 2 in-persons, but never got call back after that.

A bit more about myself: Non-target, 3.9 GPA, Asian, Male, GMAT: 680. My question is : Should I still think about my comeback to IB and am I dreaming? and should I apply for a MSF program? A friend of mine went to Vanderbilt MSF and said good things about it and I am thinking about Vandy, UVA, WUSTL or UT Austin. My ultimate goal is work in a NY's PE.

10 Comments
 

Getting the interview is a gift, sounds like you used and lost your network so you need to try something else. I wish I could advise on what but im trying to get my foot in the financial door myself. what I do know is that if you get the interview ace it, after that you may have to take something less attractive for traction. maybe revisit your resume and apply to some lesser institutions in an occupation that relates to your craft that way you keep your experience in finance. good luck.

 

I am an undergrad at Vanderbilt but have some friends who did MSF. The program is a great way to pivot industries. You will have the opportunity to interview for IB jobs through Vandy MSF. I would also look at UVA masters in commerce, MIT MSF and Georgetown MSF. These are the only fours places I would consider for MSF. Good luck!

 

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