What was your first job and where are you now?
Including unpaid jobs and internships, where did you start out? For me, I worked as a youth soccer coach in high school and helped a lot of local teams with spare hands. Now I work for a private equity research firm in London. I was curious if anyone has an interesting starting point before moving toward a career in financial services.
Started at Carl's Jr. in highschool, from there worked as a busser, a pizza delivery man, a server, a cook, did dishes, detailed cars and finally "broke in" (if you want to call it that) to finance as a teller in college and worked my way up from there. I now work in PWM for a well-known firm.
Mowing neighborhood yards and shoveling driveways!
I got my first job at 14 as a lifeguard at our town pool. I spent the next summer as a concession worker (sold hotdogs) for a MLB team and did some valet parking at a high end hotel. In between high school and college, I think I had 3 or 4 other small jobs (snow shoveling type stuff). This summer I am going to be working in IBD at a BB.
Started writing entries one by one for a local one-man accounting shop. Damn it was boring, but at least I knew what I did not want to do later. Now an MBB consultant, looking at a partner position in the long run.
Started in retail. No longer work in retail (without a job focusing on school)
Part time gig as Spider-man at children's bday parties.. now i am batman 24/7...
seriously, now i am at one of those shops that does valuation with some IB services
Mechanic
First real job or first job? Because I babysat for my younger brother's friend and his younger brother when I was in my low to mid teens and it was the coolest job. I'd invite my brother over and the four of us would play catch or play video games until the parents came home and then I'd get $40.
Volunteer soccer coach. First "worthwhile" job was market analysis / marketing work for a software company.
jr loan processor in RE at 16 now at E&F
First job was pizza delivery, current job is PE ops at one of the largest buyout firms in the world.
Started from the bottom, now we a couple rungs up.
Started in the middle, now we upper-middle
First job (besides shoveling snow) = working as a soccer ref making $30 an hour. Currently = Studying in college so no job at the moment.
Worked at a marina patching fiberglass on sail/powerboat hulls from 14 until i went to college, fairly certain my lungs are bulletproof now.
First: Cashier at a retail store Now: PWM analyst
Had to start at a bottom-tier BB in their TMT group when I was 14.
Picking produce from the fields 15 hours a day with illegal immigrants and sleeping around parks because I didn't have a place to live during the job. Now I'm choosing the color of my new Tesla BRAT BRAT RATATAHHHHH
Repaired golf clubs and huffed epoxy.
Now REPE at MM shop.
I sold pot.
Now I sell companies.
you should really start selling pot companies and bring this story full circle
Haha we're actually talking to a cannabis-focused ad network currently. Will let you know if we get the engagement.
Scooped ice cream at Baskin Robbins when I was 16 for $5.25/hr. That job was fucking incredible though... worked with two of my best friends and we took nonstop cappuccino concentrate shots, toked up in the walk-in freezer, and hooked up all the hotties with ridiculous amounts of free ice cream! Summer after that I worked in a mountain sports store with a sweet rock wall in the back...
Now i'm an equity research analyst at a big mutual fund. Some days I'd kill for those glory days again...
~5yo - 18yo farm kid 3 yrs in HS - bike shop mechanic College - mixed retail, Enterprise Rent-a-car (car washer, and I "picked you up") Corp Fin internship at a Fortune 500 Ops at a BB -> FO at BB IB at BB IB at Boutique Co-founder at a startup
Waiting tables for a hole in the wall restaurant with no tips/min wage. Was a direct W -> M (waiter to manager) promote, no signing bonus through.
F500 biotech finance internship Corp dev internship IB SA
Now an M&A banker at my SA firm.
College jobs: Pizza delivery, football/basketball coach and labourer. Current job: 1st year Infra PE analyst
I miss the simple days!
First job: Footwear Associate at Dick's Sporting Goods Current job: Investment Associate at a buyside Asset Management firm
Damn, my job title barely changed.
How do you feel about the i-bank that gave you your first job? (Originally Posted: 04/18/2012)
We're now enjoying life at a private equity, venture capital or hedge fund, or perhaps we're in business school or have moved on to start a company or even gone corporate.
What we have in common: We did our time as analysts in bulge bracket investment banks.
Now how do we feel about it? We acquired great hard-skills highly sought after in the world of high finance, worked on multi-million and billion-dollar deals, got doors of competitive follow-on job opportunities wide-opened for us, etc...
Yet, when I see bad news about Citigroup, I want to point a finger and laugh like Nelson Muntz in the Simpsons. It's more than a "I got out before sh*t went down"-feeling, since I was there when things were at their worst. I liked my team and its people, had no problem working nights and weekends to get stuff done, went through a surprisingly good amount of dealflow, and got a positive experience overall. But Citigroup as a whole is such an easy monster to despise. Large, impersonal, as agile as a glacier, and clumsily managed by what is probably the leadership with the highest turnover on the Street in recent history.
How do you, other former bulge bracket analysts, feel about your brand-name-first-employer as a whole? What is your gut feeling when you see its logo? Or its name in the news? I feel that, with all the upside I got from the job, I should feel more positively about the whole entity, yet it's the exact opposite.
I'd be interested to read a thread like this, but I really don't think there are enough people on this forum that have actually completed 2 years at a bulge bracket bank to really comment.
I'm interested as well..Hope people actually respond
I didn't work at a bulge-bracket bank, but I'll share anyways. Given I moved from MM IB to MM PE, I still have very regular interactions with my MM bank as we frequently bid on their companies. As silly as it may sound, I'm still quite proud to have "graduated" from the analyst program. This pride is similar to the pride people have in their undergrad institutions. Let's be honest -- getting through two years of IB can be challenging, and you make a lot of great friends along the way.
One thing that has been a disappointment for me is that over time, the high turnover in the industry means many of your former colleagues will change firms. Investment banking is a "people" business. As the names and faces at my former IB bank change, I definitely feel less attached. I suspect this feeling will only continue to grow as more and more people leave. On the flipside -- many of these people tend to stay within the "deal industry," so my network has grown itself through no effort of my own. It's always tremendous fun to run into your former colleagues at conferences or just doing deals in general.
I worked as a Sandwich Artist at Subway and hated that shit
When did you get your first job? (Originally Posted: 05/10/2015)
Hi!
I´m 17 years old and my intention is to get into a business school and after that into investment banking. My school grades are great and my uncle knows a guy at Barclays, so things are going allright in my journey to investment banking. I have one problem though... I have very little work experience (not at all to be accurate). This summer (as I said) I´m 17 years old and just recently I realized that I should´ve got a summer intern at a local bank (or any job in finance). Since it´s too late now, it seems like I´m getting my first job when I´m 18 years old. How bad is my situation? Am I overreacting? There is also that thing that next summer when I´m applying for intern at some bank the other candidates probably have previous work experience (or is it that important at this age?). To all you people who are currently working or have worked in IB or even PE or HFs, when did you get your first job (or summer job)? Am I terribly late? And sorry if there are some mistakes in my spelling etc. English is not my native language (I´m from Sweden).
PS. I´m currently reading dozens of business books etc. If anyone of you have some advice for a 17 year old future investment banker, feel free to tell.
Thanks!
You're fine. Enjoy your summer.
DickFuld When did you get your first job? Could you give me some tips? :) Thanks!
This feels awfully troll-like, but here it goes anyways...
No, you don't need an internship or a banking job before college. They mean nothing. The time for you to focus on advancing your career will come later, in college.
Ok thanks. I guess I´m taking this too seriously sometimes.. A bad habit of mine. So for now I should focus solely on school and getting good grades? DickFuld Gangster Putin
Have you ever had any job, like a teenage job? If not, get a job so you'll learn what it means to make a buck. Busboy or dishwasher, landscaper, construction, retail, whatever. Something that will make you work hard and let you know how a lot of people earn a living. Personally I think everyone should be forced to be a waiter/bartender or another service job so that they're not asses to them when they're older.
Lifeguard. I honestly can't think of a better gig for a 17 year old headed off to college. It pays decently (at least for someone your age), the most flexible schedule imaginable i.e, you just need to find anyone with a pulse to cover your shift... which comes in handy your first (through third) year of college. Just make sure to get real internships to fill your college summers and you'll be ahead of the game.
Kids not getting summer jobs anymore is an ill of society. Get a job. Do something that will require you to actually break a sweat for your money like landscaping, working in a kitchen, even washing dishes or busing tables. You can get a finance internship when you have a little school under your belt.
I dropped out of college and managed a restaurant for a few years before I went back to finish my BA. One of the best things I ever did (despite the fact that I was a 23 y/o sophomore) because it showed people that I knew how to work my ass off and wouldn't have unreasonable expectations in the work place. Schools and employers like to hear that you have some actual life experience and maturity because when it comes down to it, any asshole can get good grades and make his resume look pretty.
Obviously I am NOT suggesting you postpone school to work for 3 years like I did- I was just using my experience as an example.
Yeah I worked in food service when I was sixteen, and all through college. Then I took a job in retail banking halfway though college. Therefore, I never did any internships. I felt that it would look great that I worked full time in banking through college. In retrospect, it would have been better to do an IB internship.
But, the experience was fine. And for what it's worth, those shit jobs are the most fun. It doesn't matter if you get fired, and nobody cares. When you get to a real job you have to worry about bring politically correct, etc
All in all though, everybody here is right. You really do learn a lot in the service industry, like how to treat others who are serving you.
Focus on getting into the best college you can first.
My first job was as a chess instructor. And to this day, no one has given any fucks
Preparing psychologically for my first job (Originally Posted: 12/01/2010)
Hello fellow primates, I am an undergrad graduating in May, and in June I'll be starting as an algo trader in Chicago. Now I am trying to prepare psychologically and in any other useful way for this transition, and I would like to hear some advice from more experienced people.
Here are some additional details and possible questions I have:
The job is well-paid and exactly what I wanted, so my number 1 priority is to be a great employee and don't mess up anything. What can I do now as well as after starting to maximize the probability for being a success?
I would like to have a better, more fulfilled, social life. Even though my undergrad experience was great academically, my social life sucked and I was doing work all the time. What can I expect after starting work? What can I do about it? They told me the work hours shouldn't be > 10/day, do you think it will work out that way right from the start?
I've lived in a single for the past 3 years. I noticed the room mates thread on this forum and that's something I'm pondering. Perhaps having a room mate will create a more social setting? Is it a good idea?
These are the thoughts that preoccupy my mind. If you have anything to say that will help me on my way, let me know.
Thanks
I know nothing about being a trader, but one thing I'll tell you that I think applies to all people wanting to succeed in a new job or a new place:
Get yourself in shape and healthy to whatever degree you can. Make sure you've dropped any extra pounds and are feeling good about yourself and the way you look. If you're really skinny go to the gym and lift some weights so you don't look like a child when you show up to do a man's job. Make sure you're eating relatively healthy (not like a college kid), and that you're sleeping on somewhat of a normal schedule. These steps will make a huge difference in your energy levels which will have an impact on your performance. (You should also try to stop smoking if you smoke, though I can't really preach on that as I still smoke occasionally)
I'd say get a cheap place by yourself and go balls to the wall for the first 6 - 8 moths save some doe. Be the first guy in last out every single workday. Getting a random roommate won't = gateway to a social clique. Most people are well entrenched coming out of UG and all likelyhood your roommate will ditch you more often than not, no offense. Honestly, I'd say start making friends at work. I go out and drink more with my work friends then my "regular" college friends now anyways. Once you've got baller status around the office, and gotten close with a couple of guys, one of them might need a roommie or know someone who does. That way your intros into other groups of people will be a little more fluid.
Thanks guys. Any other advice?
Yeah, enjoy the last six free months of your life..
1st job help (Originally Posted: 12/12/2011)
My goal is to eventually break into Investment banking.
My background: -Graduating from Non-Target with a Degree in Finance (3.75 GPA) -Only relevant experience: portfolio management Intern for small investment management firm -Member of Beta Gamma Sigma, University's Finance Society, etc.
I know I cannot land a solid banking job with this background but what would be the proper steps to getting an IB job in the future? What types of jobs should I apply for? Financial analyst at F500? Operations at a bank?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Networking - critical. Come to NY and meet bankers / people in whatever industry you're interested in entering. Look up alumni through your database/linkedin. There are several threads here that discuss this in detail. Use the search function homie.
Given your stats and background, you should've at least secured a BO job or something like PWM with your internship experience...I realize it's tough being from a non-target and due to the state of the labor market in general...but I can't help and think that you must be from a reallyyyyy big and flaming non-target. I assume that is your biggest bottleneck right now?
Yes, I couldn't have chosen a worse school to go to. I stayed near home/friends due to lack of maturity at the time and now it has come back to bite me. I have received offers in Dallas (financial planning) and have several interviews lined up in Dallas, but my goal is to be in New York. Would it be easier to receive interviews/offers in NYC if I currently lived in NYC? (I currently live in the DFW) Thanks.
doesn't anyone from your frat have an IB gig? weak
I'd say the best thing to do is to try breaking into a bank with IB in Dallas/Houston and also a division in NY and then lateral. Also, I wouldn't give up hope on direct NYC recruiting, keep networking on linkedin - people don't have to be alumni from your school to help you out. That's a lesson I learned when i was going through the process.
First Job (Originally Posted: 12/18/2011)
I was hoping to get some feedback on what I should choose for my first job out of college. I am interviewing at BB PWM (GS, JPM, CS, BAML) and several boutique investment banks. My options are either a well known bank in private wealth management or a regional boutique investment bank in either banking or equity research. Is there a major advantage or disadvantage to any of these options assuming I plan on getting a MBA in the future. Would you consider any of them significantly below the rest? Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
From what I know PWM has little to no exit ops as you are basically coldcalling people asking for their money.
Why would you do PWM when you could do IB or ER? Have you gotten any offers yet? If so, have you even read your starting salary? Don't count your chickens before they hatch. I guarantee if you actually had both offers you wouldn't need to ask this question. PWM = eat ramen every night then kill yourself.
First Job Help? (Originally Posted: 12/24/2012)
Where do I start...I'm interested in becoming a management consultant and I feel it's my calling. I also aspire to enter in the top 10 MBA programs (learn your favorite career from the best right?). I heard that there is also a credibility and prestige factor when it comes to work experience. What job opportunities should I be pursuing if I want to strengthen my chances into a top MBA program? I'm a second year student from CUNY Hunter College.
Do something similar to mgmt consulting with similar applicable skills, such as strategic planning, corp strat.
Build your network. Being in NYC has advantages if you are motivated... and as far as I know OCR for Hunter is okay at best.
Definitely network as much as you can. Reach out to your school's alumni, I'm sure there are at least a few who are management consultants at top consulting firms.
First job at a bank tips? (Originally Posted: 05/21/2015)
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