Advice for a first-year student?
I am going into my first year at UWO with Ivey AEO Status.
In addition,
1)Do you guys have any advice or recommendations as to what I should do to best position myself as a desirable candidate for Investment Banking (If I wish to pursue it in the future)? [i.e. Extracurriculars, Jobs, Courses, Websites, etc.]
2) If the CFA is really as useless as Mergers and Inquisitions says it is, should I even bother trying to complete the CSC?
3) For anyone familiar with the Ivey program, do you think that the expanding size of the Ivey program hinders the already limited chances students have in Investment Banking? (I wouldn't call Ivey a target school by any means, but it is probably the best in Canada)
4) Is their anything you guys would have done differently in terms of preparation for Investment Banking?
EDIT: 5) How beneficial is a second language? English is the only language I am fluent in (I despise learning second languages through school). Would this significantly reduce my chances in the future?
>1)Do you guys have any advice or recommendations as to what I should do to best position myself as a desirable candidate for Investment Banking (If I wish to pursue it in the future)?
Get good grades and find something unique to bring to the table- ideally something that can be used outside banking, too. This is a shrinking industry that is only going to get smaller.
>2) If the CFA is really as useless as Mergers and Inquisitions says it is, should I even bother trying to complete the CSC?
Can't hurt. But make sure you're getting a 3.7 GPA first.
>3) For anyone familiar with the Ivey program, do you think that the expanding size of the Ivey program hinders the already limited chances students have in Investment Banking? (I wouldn't call Ivey a target school by any means, but it is probably the best in Canada)
Short run, maybe, long run, no. A growing school that produces more quality folks who go into banking is going to mean an improving alumni network as you progress through your career. Remember that your first job will probably not be your last job.
Don't forget to intern every summer even if your first internship is complete bs but somehow is related to finance. Most kids do PWM first year its the easiest to get I guess.
Good grades (3.5 minimum). PWM internship during your first summer or something better if you can get it. Being fluent in another language would really help because it would allow you to work in another country and thus increase the number of interviews you get and thus the number of chances you get to break in. But if you're not up for the challenge, you'll probably get bad grades in language classes, so you might want to avoid it. Focus, focus, focus. Set a detailed plan of what you will do each year and summer in preparation for the big SA job and then FT. Know where you will work, what you will do, know everything. Make a dream resume for SA recruiting and FT and post it on your wall or somewhere it will stick out. Look at it everyday as a reminder of what you need to do to achieve your goal. It will help you stay on track with grades and everything. Best of luck.
spring week programmes!
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/list-of-spring-weekinsight-progra…
Before you start getting ripped on by HBA students and alums for planning your post-HBA career before you even get accepted into the program, I just want to say that I just went through 1st year western, and it's a ton of fun. Party, meet new people, and just enjoy yourself. Don't get bogged down into the details about HBA. Keep your marks up, and enjoy your first year. It's not hard to do both. Specifically in economics. It's a piece of cake.
P.S: You'll soon realize at frosh week that everyone and their dog seems to have AEO status. It's really nothing special until you get accepted.
Thanks for the advice/suggestions guys. Really appreciated. Further advice/suggestions would also be greatly appreciated.
That is why I said "If I do wish to pursue it in the future". Obviously I am open to other fields in business and it is very likely that I will change my mind at least once. However, I have tried to do as much research as possible and at the moment, I am focused on Investment Banking.
And besides, most of the advice I am receiving (i.e. PWM, Languages) has at least some merit in other fields of business.
Do not assume (this is not directed to anyone specifically) that I am one of those students who wants to be an Investment Banker without even knowing what it is and what it entails. I laugh at those students.
It may be a bit early for me to start thinking about Investment Banking, but what the hell, it gives me closure.
Thanks for the warning though.
I never said anything about Investment Banking to begin with. All I'm saying is enjoy your first year. When you're in HBA you'll get serious about IB, CFA/What ever the fuck you want to do. And like everyone has been saying, a summer job is good, and I'm all for you learning a second language. PM me if you need help finding good profs for your classes.
Definitely try to get a finance related internship during the summer after your first year. Have some experience from the summers after your 1st and 2nd year to set you up well for recruitment during junior year summer SA internships.
to answer questions #: 1) get laid 4) get laid
Can't I do both? And despite what this message board makes me sound like, I am not a loser (It does).
1) Intern, high GPA. Those main two things will aid TREMENDOUSLY
5)Second language can be particularly beneficial if you are planning to work in europe or HK, but in the U.S. you will not really need it. It might look good on a resume though so don't count it out
Russian monkey hows your Russian ?
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