Sales and Trading to MBA

How is Sales and Trading seen as pre-MBA experience? More specifically equity and derivative sales. The goal of the MBA would be to switch to buy-side equity research or some form of wealth management. With a 730 GMAT, 3.6 undergrad GPA from a state school, and 4 years of work experience in equity sales at smaller shops like Wolfe, Bernstein, and Exane how viable is it to get into a t15 program?

 

I am at H/S and used to sling equities. Is it the most common path? No. Is it possible? Definitely. I ended up doing some other things later that might have differentiated my experience more. It’s hard to say whether adcoms dislike S&T or just few people from S&T apply. 

 

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly did you do that differentiated your experience? I've talked to a few people who transitioned into the same shop's equity research from the sales desk and that allowed them to shoot for M7. Just trying to figure out a path from ST to buy-side.

 

Can’t disclose too much without identifying myself. But I had something going on outside of work. Additionally, I switched after a bit in S&T to some other, still non-traditional, roles that were interesting. A guy I know who had similar success with MBA programs, was in S&T but then moved internal to work on corp strategy at the bank. All of these can add an interesting layer to you, but I wouldn’t try to game out a move just because you think it will help MBA odds; make a move because you think it is good for you regardless of MBA

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”