Sub-par GPA/semi-target into Corporate Banking
Greetings WSO,
I don’t usually post much but I’d figure I’ll give it a shot. Now before I start, like many of you I owe part of my success to the folk at WSO, you guys were instrumental in shaping the person that I am today.
My story began back in 2012. I graduated from a semi target school; I had below average GPA ( 3.00) and had no formal internship, needleless to say I was unable to land anything solid. I had to settle for a back office role within Asset Management. These events were actually my darkest moments in my professional life. While my friends were ranking up points in the corporate world, I was entering trades on the computer with ennui. That’s when I started to look for help, I started going to those networking events, reaching out to alumni and of course reading the materials from WSO. I eventually switch into a role that was a little less tedious. I was doing financial advisory. Still, I knew I wanted something bigger and challenging. I got my first break when I accepted a job as a credit analyst for small to medium sized companies. Not as prestigious as I’d like it to be, but it’s a start. I knew I was getting closer to my ultimate goal, which was corporate banking.
Long story short, last month I applied to this Corporate Banking Analyst program. After several rounds of interviews and exams, I received an offer.
Here are a few tips I’d like to share to the underdogs out there:
1) Do not think realistically, wait wait let me explain. I had a lot of people telling me it’s impossible to break in. “You don’t have the experience”, “your GPA was too low”, “you didn’t attend a target”. These people almost had me, I was actually ready to give up and live a mediocre life. Then I decide to tune the negative out and go for it.
2) Persistency, if you really want it, you have to do the work, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and dial that phone, but I can guarantee you it’s going to be worth it. I worked my a** off for 2+ years and it finally paid off.
3) Surround yourself with people better than you. This will allow you to stay competitive, simply because you don’t want to be left behind. Oh and you might learn a thing or two from these people as well.
4) Give back to the community by joining a professional association or a non for profit. This will allow you increase your communication skills and network with different types of people. Who knows maybe you might meet your future boss.
5) Continuously improve as a person, read, write, and communicate. Sites like WSO is a great source of information. Know your material, and when that opportunity comes (like an interview), own it.
Feel free to add your comments!
