Advice for a Senior Undergrad

Hey WSO, I'm new to the site, but I've learned a lot already, so thanks for the great help.

I'm a rising senior majoring in Finance and minoring in Accounting at a semi-target. I have a low cumulative GPA (3.23) but Major GPA is 3.67

I'm interning this summer at a F500 in the finance divison, but it's not in corporate. I'm called a financial analyst but I'm essentially doing project managment/program controls and variance analysis.

I have decent extracurriculars, but nothing that really sticks out. I've been networking a lot and I think I made some good connections so I'm gonna do more.

I already decided I don't want to work 90+ hours a week, so I'm not looking for IBD. I'm hoping to land a good F500 rotational program or if I'm lucky an ER position at an investment management firm (Fidelity, Vanguard, T Rowe Price, etc). We have some good firms recruiting on campus but they're mostly consulting.

So what can I do now and in the early fall to make myself more competitive? I'm planning on joining the investment club right when I get back, but at this point is it too little too late? I have a small personal portfolio that I have been investing with for the last year, and I have done very well. Is there a good way to use that on a resume/interview? I'm also thinking about doing some research with my advisor. Is that worth it?

I am doing a lot of work on my own to improve my technical skills, but at this point I'm worried that my resume isn't strong enough to get interviews at places I want.

I would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me.

 
Best Response

I'm not in industry, so take this for what it's worth... ($.02, literally)

I'm not really sure that there is much you can do other than what you are doing. Networking might get you into one of those places, but generally buyside positions are harder to come by as a fresh university graduate. Sell side ER is also hard to break into, but more because of size. There are far few sell side spots open every year in ER than in IB.

I think networking is really your best bet. Target your alumni in industry, they will be the most help. And definitely wait until someone with a gold star comments, they usually know what they're talking about!

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Alright thanks.

I know buy-side is hard to get into out of undergrad but I'm really not as interested in sell-side.

I know we have at least one investment management firm recruiting on campus this fall for an ER position, but I'm guessing it's gonna be really competitive.

What about research with my professor? Will that be a good way to gain relevent experience or just a way to show that I'm interested in finance?

 

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