Am I a Fish in a Big @SS Lake?

First off I want to extend many thanks to WSO and it's quirky members for their often humorous yet helpful musings that make a previous lurker like myself keep coming back.

That being said I need your help...
I'm a Finance major solely interested in CF and beginning my career as efficiently as possible right out of undergrad. Here are the facts:

-I have two years left until graduation
-I have decent grades(3.7)
-One leadership role in a club and 3 years work experience in unrelated menial jobs

-My school has 58 thousand students
-8 thousand are in the business school alone

Next summer would be the only semester I could squeeze in an internship

Finally, let's assume that 50% of the students at my school are completely inept, which is undoubtedly true so why assume?

How the eff do I differentiate myself among the masses when it comes time for scouting for jobs in CF? What's the best way I should be spending my two years?

Thanks in advance

 

In before everyone starts in with the usual, "Networking! Networking, you dumbass!" That said, it is good advice...

See if you can get off-cycle internships as well? I've known a lot of people who do PT internships their senior fall, etc. when their courseload allows them days off.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 
Best Response

*Start a company, I don't care if all you're actually doing is mowing the neigbor's lawn. People like seeing this stuff

  • Do "corporate" work, as most kids are chilling in the library or some other non-career job.

  • Apply to EVERY JOB AND INTERNSHIP you can. Intern this summer.

  • NETWORK, duh. Join business frats / clubs / student societies

  • Talk to everyone: deans, professors, randoms on LinkedIn. Open your mouth

  • breath. These jobs aren't as hyper competitive as working in a bank.

  • Hail Mary option: transfer to a school that recruits for CF

Bottom line: work hard...just get busy. You have good grades, so they know you're smart, now go DO STUFF to show that you're a workhorse. Also, create a rasume profile and post here asking for comments.

Get busy living
 

Thank you for the replies. I did use the magical search button after posting and got many of my other questions answered, go figure. But,

I have one final question. I work at Lowes part time and I believe they are a F50 company; would they be a good option to launch a career or should I be looking at other companies?

 

Wondering if you go to the same school as I do. As far as I know there are only two schools in the country that can say they have 58,000 students...

EDIT: Just checked your profile. Just as I suspected. Feel free to PM me, we have similar concerns as far as CF recruiting at our school.

--Art Vandelay

 

Veniam possimus est aut omnis eos. Alias voluptatum eum officia quos. Debitis voluptatibus fugit recusandae omnis nihil molestiae aut.

Ut quae eum mollitia animi reprehenderit. Voluptatem ipsum autem dolorem dignissimos. Atque consequatur autem ea blanditiis a ipsum aut. Aliquam et magnam incidunt hic architecto modi. Facere esse asperiores ea aut ad adipisci.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”