I am currently involved in an Army ROTC program and will be commissioned as an officer. I'll be serving around 4 years to complete my contract. After service I'd like to get my MBA. Assuming I graduate at 22, after my service obligation and MBA, will I be too old to pursue an ibanking career, or will my military service be looked upon favorably?
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First, respect. Second, your service will be looked at as a major positive. You should be able to leverage this to get into a top MBA program, and then doors will be open for IB roles.
First, thank you for serving our country
Second, focus on the current challenges after your commission: Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, Ranger School (if you are attending)
Third, If you are only going to serve 4 years my recommendation would be to take the GMAT before graduation since that is the biggest pain in the ass.
Fourth, if there are still Veterans programs @BB's (GS/BAML/JPM) then apply to them to gain experience while competing for a full time employment.
Those are just my recommendations since at the end you have to do what is right for you. Good luck.
Some guys go into banking in their 40s as associates, you're fine. If that's what you want to do, go for it. Military service can be a strong asset in corporate America.
A lot of banks have military programs and are sensitive to your service and time that is required. That is a highly respectable addition to ANY resume. Service to your country is a real positive for anyone. And honestly, the military has a top notch reputation for discipline and teamwork.
But to answer your question, I've seen a few people with past military experience at bulge brackets via linkedin so you are definitely not too old.
Most military candidates going into IB are associates in late 20's early 30's. You will be par for the course.
First, you will not be too old. I know an 0-6 that got out and became an Associate.
Second, you need to focus on being a good Platoon Leader/Commander. Considering you haven't commissioned yet, you have a long way to go. You don't want to start your military career with one foot out the door. Right now, nothing comes before the Army and your (future) Soldiers. Go to Ranger School (regardless of branch), perfect your OPORD writing skills, understand the training model, get in the best shape of your life, and get a mentor in your branch.
Finance is easy and Military is the flavor of the day. When you are 12 months out from applications start studying for the GMAT, 6 months start taking the test. If you deploy and are lucky enough to have downtime (these days you will), study for the GMAT then. Also at 6 months out start reaching out to Veterans clubs at top schools, they often can influence admissions.
All that being said, cross that bridge when it comes. You have more important priorities.
Chiming in here, same as everyone else - thanks for your service. Coming from a military background, assuming you earn good marks you shouldn't have a problem getting into a good MBA program, or even straight into IB if you so desired. Although as the poster above me said, as a whole you shouldn't be worried, so focus on whats on your plate now. Good luck!
How much does the Army help in getting an investment banking job? (Originally Posted: 11/19/2012)
As fate would have it, I'll be spending the next 3 years serving in the Army while I attend a non-target school for 2 years. The idea is to transfer to a target when I come out, bang out 2 more years and eventually apply to investment banks, whether for a position as an analyst, something in s&t or whatever it takes to get my foot in the door.
My question is, how much does the financial industry in general value military experience? If a hiring manager was looking at me and someone with a similar resume but without the military, how much would my time in the Army help me?
Anyone have any experiences to share on this matter?
Not sure how military experience is evaluated for Investment banks (probably well) but for transferring its affirmative action times 100x even for schools like Harvard, Yale and Stanford given a 4.0 gpa at an easy non target state school and given good standardized test scores. The only thing is that some schools like penn ug, columbia, etc have "general studies" programs for military and others who take a break from schooling which aren't "targeted" but this being said many schools do put you in the standard college/recruiting pool and you should be able to figure out which by looking at their websites. It also helps a ton for HBS/GSB/Wharton if your interested in an MBA and is considered slightly more positively in the admissions process than being URM (which if you are as well, is also extremely helpful). Hope this helps, others might be able to help in regards to how IB's view it (you'll be 25/26 as an analyst though, which may/may not be an issue)
shooting up some terrorists = auto HBS acceptance
Military and then working at an investment bank? Feasible option? (Originally Posted: 12/25/2013)
I go to a non target school and want to join the Army in 2 years (when I graduate). I'm not in ROTC.
Once I finish, I would like to work at any bank I can find that will give me a job.
Some divisions I would like to work at are
Was wondering if this was a good idea. I might forget some stuff from my internships and I'll be in my late 20's to early 30's.
I know G.S and JP Morgan have programs for people in the military but I believe its for internships. Your best bet might be just going for an MBA once your done with the military.
You think I could just go for an internship right after the military? I wouldn't like taking an MBA route to be honest.
First of all I don't know what you're really asking and I'm not sure if this question is serious. Feel free to correct my interpretation.
No bank is going to just 'give' you a job b/c you were in the fuckin military son. If you're thinking the military is a good idea b/c the 'exit ops' I'd suggest you rethink that.
What the fuck are you talking about? Forget shit from your internships? No shit, you're about to do a 'non-finance' job, unless you're a POG for at least 4 years.
I'm saying if I should get an internship or get an MBA right after my service. Obviously if I'm away from finance for some time I might forget something IDK about some law, procedure, or anything?
Looking for Career Advice/Transition out of the Military into Finance (Originally Posted: 07/31/2017)
I am currently a US Army soldier with a B.S. and M.A. degrees in political science (minored in Economics in my undergrad) who is transitioning out of the military and is looking for information on how to launch a career in finance and investment banking. While I have some statistical training in regression and time-series analyses (applied graduate level) and a sharp interest in mathematics (self-study), I am worried that my lack of formal training in finance will create significant difficulties in breaking into this new field. I would really appreciate any and all advice on what steps I should be taking for the next year as I transition out of the military in order to get my foot in the door in the finance industry with the goal of building a successful career in this exciting field.
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