Advice Needed - Getting into Banking
Goal: Work at a global bank or even a consulting firm, at least for a few years. I believe it'll give me a lot of great exit opportunities.
Profile: Current Masters Student (non-MBA) studying International Finance at Columbia. The program is 2 years and I've completed year 1. Tried to find a finance internship in NY with no luck (realized too late in my program that I definitely want to pursue a career in finance/did not work hard enough/did not know better). Currently at an internship in NYC (consulting firm working in the developing world, work is business development, market research, etc.). Mid-twenties with no prior finance background.
Given my profile, what are the next steps I should be talking to break into finance, especially into banking? And what are the next steps I should be taking to figure out which sector of banking I'm more interested in? Asset Management? Investment Banking? Sovereign Risk? --> how can you know without any internship experience?
Current thoughts: definitely try to find an internship in the fall that is anything remotely related to finance, maybe consider CFA (would take years to complete), not much else...
You're getting a Masters, not an undergrad, but a Masters, in International finance and it's only now that you're realizing that you want a career in finance? Something is not right with your story, son.
That is correct. I majored in a science, which I do not regret, but I would now like a career, at least in the near future, in banking. I did not have any finance background, nor did I take any finance/business classes in undergrad. After taking core classes in finance, I have realized that it is something I'm interested in and would like to pursue further at this time in my life. I am asking advice on next steps, not judgement on my story.
Still not making sense. How do you end up in a Masters program in International Finance when you don't know you want to be in finance??? You just woke up one day and said, "eh, let's give these Columbia classes a try . . . "???
No, it was an interest that I built after graduating college, and it solidified when I actually took the classes. Besides, if you have any advice, that would be much appreciated. My story to get into the IF program is specific and would not like to put the details online (something along the lines of microfinance/development --> built interest in finance/economics --> ended up at the program --> took classes like international capital markets/corp fin --> want an internship/starting job in finance. I'm just seeking advice as to what steps I can take next.
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