Advice for an Australian finance grad/IB hopeful

Hey all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. Bit of a long one, but hopefully you can help me out.

I'm just after a bit of advice/insight in regards to my current situation, as I'm feeling super down emotionally about prospective grad positions/my future in general.

Some info;
I'm a 23 year old postgrad student scheduled to complete a Master of Finance in Nov 2018. If i maintain my current marks, I should graduate with distinction, but who can be sure (currently my postgrad GPA is at 6.50).

I previously graduated in 2016 with a double degree, B.Business (Finance)/B.IT (Information Systems) with distinction. My undergrad GPA was at a not-so-amazing 5.35/7.00
I graduated with distinction because I went well in my IT subjects though my business side was lacking in my early years. I managed to pull them up towards the end, but unfortunately the damage was done..
I've also completed my CFA Level 1 exam and am going to go for level 2 next June (wish me luck!)

As far as work experience in finance goes, I have been unsuccessful in trying for SA positions interstate- I never understood their value until my final undergrad year, which is something I deeply, deeply regret.

Note: Summer positions here are for Dec-Feb, with applications normally opening around July.

I managed to get an offer for an internship at a boutique, but they made cuts a couple of months before my start date and I was shafted.
I'm not based in a capital city which has made it, as far as i'm aware, much more difficult given the severe lack of opportunity where I am. I have previously made applications interstate in Sydney/Melbourne (our financial hubs), and I fear the fact i live far away from these places may be a contributing factor as to why I was unsuccessful, though I am unsure.
In any case, I am moving to Melbourne next year to finish my masters, and to hopefully open up employment opportunities.

I have, however, worked a 9-month position after graduating in 2016, at one of our Big 4, specifically as a Relations Consultant. My role was predominantly client-facing (plenty of over the phone want-to-kill-yourself type stuff).
I provided account rundowns and performance figures for internal and external advisers (and other bank staff), provided service for managed investment accounts (withdrawals/deposits/basic advice/portfolio performance info), and transferred investment advice referalls/retention referalls to internal wealth consultants- this was a major KPI, some referalls were over $1Million for private investors which was super depressing knowing I didn't get to see any of the excitement I was putting through.
The role gave me a Diploma in Financial Planning (in Aus this licenses me to provide advice for certain securities and products under a licensee), exposure to the corporate environment and exposure to the financial services industry in general, but I never had a chance to utilise my analytical skills. Progression opportunities were also relatively meagre, so i left the role in pursuit of postgrad studies with a clear goal in mind- to get into IB/MC in whatever way possible.

My main questions from here are;

1. Do you think my stint within the big 4 will have any bearing at all on applications for graduate programs? It was by no means an analyst position, though do they take other experience like this into any significant account?

2. If I don't get a summer analyst internship for 17/18, but maintain good grades, do I stand a chance at a grad position for 2019?

3. I am able to extend my masters for completion in sem 1 2019, this would allow me to apply for a second round of Summer Analyst positions for summer 18/19. Do you think this is a good idea? or should I stick to graduating in 2018 and try my luck going straight for a 2019 grad program?

4. My plan, if any of the above 3 fail, is to press on and get some professional experience wherever possible, hopefully finishing CFA 3, and either applying for an IB laterally, or going the MBA/Associate Program route. Do you have any advice in this regard? What positions at boutiques/big4/anywhere else are considered "highly regarded" for applicants?

Thanks for reading this essay, I don't have a lot of people around to talk to about this stuff so even though I'll likely get ripped into for my past mistakes, its incredibly helpful having a platform like this to gain some insight.

Thanks again in advance