Advice for first gen student trying to get into investment banking
I am a sophomore at a target school who's just trying to a sense of what investment banking is like/have had a few super days so far that haven't gone super well. As a first gen student, I am always surprised by my peers who are landing IB internships left and right. I have been reading a lot of WSO posts and have gotten great advice, but was wondering if there are people here with the same background and have struggled to find the necessary resources/mentors to break into investment banking. Any advice/mentorship regarding the industry, interview prep, resources, etc. would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much. Stay safe!
Was first-gen and at a target during recruiting last year non-diversity. Came out with several offers early on. Used this site pretty religiously got almost all info from here, never bought any of the guides either, but I also began slowly networking during my freshman year. Work hard and aim on sending ~100 emails out per week.
Don’t worry about what others are doing at your target, focus on your own grind as most don’t have nearly the work ethic to stay in the industry for long anyway even if they land a big shot offer. It doesn’t matter too much anyway because you can still place better than everyone else at your school if you really work on polishing yourself . If you have more questions let me know and I can PM you.
Thank you! Would love to chat more about it, please PM me
PM limit has been reached, feel free to ask anything here.
As a current freshman, can you explain what the aim of networking at this stage is? I know that usually its to get informational interviews with people but once that is done, how should I maintain that relationship and eventually use it with the alum?
Hey, I know i'm a little late to the thread, but I was wondering how did you stay connected with the people you networked with freshman year? Was there a balance between staying in touch and annoying them with messages?
This app is so bad. It deleted my detailed response.
First Gen and non target. Being a first generation student didn't hold me back at all. Every resource you need can be found online. Every connection you need can be made by networking. If you are failing at being prepared or lack a network, the blame falls on your habits. The blame doesn’t fall on you being a first generation. Being a first gen shouldn't hold you back at all, once again the only thing that can hold you back are your habits.
Technical Resources: *WSO Guide *Breaking into WS guides *Other websites with interview questions *WSO Forum *Other finance websites (investopedia)
Behavioral Resources: *WSO Guides *Breaking into WS Guides *WSO Forum *Advise from alumni/network and upperclassmen
Interview Prep: *Leveraging network for mock interviews *Abusing upperclassmen for mock interviews *WSO Forum for tips/other *Mirror Practice *Repeating the above multiple times
Industry Knowledge: *Read financial newspaper/other daily *Read any primers that you can find *Talk to people (Network) *I tend to occasionally scout the forums for any interesting threads about the industry, here and there I find some good ones
Networking: *WSO Forum, everything about networking can be found on the forum *Cold mailing/LinkedIn messaging *Trial and error to find what works best for you *Repetition
Thank you so much! In terms of the WSO guides, did you purchase them?
Nope. I received every resource from alumni/upperclassmen.
I’m not sure how resourceful this will be, but here’s a database I found that cost money ... but provides lots of contacts
http://www.hedge-professionals.com/
Please don’t waste money on this. You can find contacts yourself for free.
comments above have covered most of the essentials. One thing I'd add:
NEVER use your disadvantages (school, family, wealth, nationality etc.) as an alibi for failure, it's a dangerous thought that makes u feel better about not achieving what u want. I come from Asia where local college kids constantly blame banks' preferences towards US/UK uni kids and mainland Chinese kids as an excuse as to why they couldn't land a gig. The blame culture is toxic. If you really want to achieve something, get it done at all costs! Best of luck OP!!!
First Gen kiddo here. I echo what the others have said: by any means necessary you have to get it done. For me personally, first gen wasn't a disadvantage, but my resume and lack of professional etiquette was. I was nervous, and honestly afraid that people would judge me for my background being from a poor background - which came across during interviews. I didn't have substance or anything meaningful on my resume when I was a sophomore recruiting, which only added to my nervousness. Nevertheless, I pulled through in the end finally. Like what the poster said above: it's all about habits, and that starts from you. Take it slow, pause when you don't know (silence is better than "ummm idk"), recognize you are as deserving of a job as any Brad Dick and Joe from New England, and kill it. You got this.
the diversity bullshit needs to end because it actually violates the United States Constitution.
not end but fixed, it solely need to target people who come from a low-income background and thats it but nooo banks dont want to dooo thattttttt
The above posters mentioned some good points, but I think the biggest disadvantage is some of the intangibles that are difficult to change. Assuming you were not raised in a white-collar or wealthy environment, first-gen students lack the most in cultural professionalism. It can be difficult to navigate certain conversations with professionals because of a lack of experience (cultural experiences one learns during international travel, professionalism from parents when speaking to affluent individuals, and general lack of access to opportunities). The best way to succeed in a service area that promotes prestige and pedigree is, quite frankly, immersion. To succeed you need to understand the process and try to relate to the individuals you are speaking with in some way. This specific experience comes with time and repetition. First-gen students know how to work hard - use that determination to understand the areas where you need to work hard.
Hi, not OP but first gen student as well.
I feel like because of my background i feel harder to connect with people while networking (non alumni networking), do you have any suggestion as to what I can do to improve
Repellendus quae in aperiam consectetur perspiciatis. Dolor est magnam quod optio id nesciunt. Culpa explicabo esse nemo quod voluptas. Doloremque in quasi dolores ut. Nobis corrupti voluptatem itaque voluptatum est.
Eveniet consequuntur sunt voluptate accusamus consectetur accusamus eos. Tempora quidem saepe voluptatibus accusamus occaecati. Eligendi qui et accusantium magnam. Et nemo magnam minima fugiat culpa. Laudantium quisquam similique eos ut.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...