between a real rock and hard place

fpuagolf:

Improperly used...props for trying! Tl;dr or too long; didn't read

Probably the least funny insult I have ever seen

The Kid:

Very good advice. Congrats on the current job and upcoming interviews.

Also, I consider having a thick skin to be one of the most important, unsung traits to have if you want to be successful... so I second football1103's advice to grow a pair, go after it, and don't let stuff bother you so much.

Thick skin I have and I completely agree, it's invaluable for many professions. I just need to know what to go after! Thanks for your help, Kid

fpuagolf:

football1103:

Listen, I go to a non target school, even more non target than UF ( I go to University of Miami). I know a friend in Florida's masters of finance program who just received an offer from Wells Fargo IBD in their Houston office within their energy group. I frankly am disappointed that you have given up. Florida is a much better place to receive IBD offers than Miami, so I would make the most of your opportunity. Don't worry about the people around you, because frankly, if you continue down that path, you will never feel worth anything. You have to do the best you can with your current situation. I think your at a great school and can make great things happen with your connections. Sure, you could sit their and read princeton resumes and be depressed about how much you don't know but what good would that do?

I currently work at a small Ibank and have interview with BB firms, so it is definitely possible...I'd say grow a pair and go after it (in the most respectful way possible).

If only I went to UF LOL! That's my concern...I feel stymied because I don't even a partly non-target (UCF)! I'm all for hard work and pushing myself. In no way whatsoever have I given up. I just need to have a solid game plan. Do I transfer to UF? Do I stay here, and just shoot for Big 4? I'm paying almost nothing to go here...What about HF's? If the odds aren't there, they aren't there. I'm just a little too green to know exactly what's expected of each component, whether IB, HF, PWM...I know the accounting paths, just not finance. I really appreciate your response, very constructive and worthwhile. Congratulations and I wish you the best in your future! Thanks

fpuagolf:

football1103:

Listen, I go to a non target school, even more non target than UF ( I go to University of Miami). I know a friend in Florida's masters of finance program who just received an offer from Wells Fargo IBD in their Houston office within their energy group. I frankly am disappointed that you have given up. Florida is a much better place to receive IBD offers than Miami, so I would make the most of your opportunity. Don't worry about the people around you, because frankly, if you continue down that path, you will never feel worth anything. You have to do the best you can with your current situation. I think your at a great school and can make great things happen with your connections. Sure, you could sit their and read princeton resumes and be depressed about how much you don't know but what good would that do?

I currently work at a small Ibank and have interview with BB firms, so it is definitely possible...I'd say grow a pair and go after it (in the most respectful way possible).

If only I went to UF LOL! That's my concern...I feel stymied because I don't even a partly non-target (UCF)! I'm all for hard work and pushing myself. In no way whatsoever have I given up. I just need to have a solid game plan. Do I transfer to UF? Do I stay here, and just shoot for Big 4? I'm paying almost nothing to go here...What about HF's? If the odds aren't there, they aren't there. I'm just a little too green to know exactly what's expected of each component, whether IB, HF, PWM...I know the accounting paths, just not finance. I really appreciate your response, very constructive and worthwhile. Thanks

fpuagolf:

football1103:

Listen, I go to a non target school, even more non target than UF ( I go to University of Miami). I know a friend in Florida's masters of finance program who just received an offer from Wells Fargo IBD in their Houston office within their energy group. I frankly am disappointed that you have given up. Florida is a much better place to receive IBD offers than Miami, so I would make the most of your opportunity. Don't worry about the people around you, because frankly, if you continue down that path, you will never feel worth anything. You have to do the best you can with your current situation. I think your at a great school and can make great things happen with your connections. Sure, you could sit their and read princeton resumes and be depressed about how much you don't know but what good would that do?

I currently work at a small Ibank and have interview with BB firms, so it is definitely possible...I'd say grow a pair and go after it (in the most respectful way possible).

If only I went to UF LOL! That's my concern...I feel stymied because I don't even a partly non-target (UCF)! I'm all for hard work and pushing myself. In no way whatsoever have I given up. I just need to have a solid game plan. Do I transfer to UF? Do I stay here, and just shoot for Big 4? I'm paying almost nothing to go here...What about HF's? If the odds aren't there, they aren't there. I'm just a little too green to know exactly what's expected of each component, whether IB, HF, PWM...I know the accounting paths, just not finance. I really appreciate your response, very constructive and worthwhile. Thanks

Listen, I recently interviewed with MS capital markets and got the offer. I also have an offer from the small Ibank I work at. I will be working for top MM private equity firm this summer in NY. I know kids from schools I have never heard of. I'm being honest when I say this, it doesn't matter what school you go too! You may have to work harder if you go to a not target school, but it makes you a much better person when you finally get the opportunity you've been working towards. I cold called so many small Ibanks in florida so I could get my feet wet. Out of the ten I called only 2 responded and one offered me an internship in the fall & spring. I worked this passed fall & spring and it sucked, because I was working weekends when I had school work. But it all paid off. If you don't have any experience, I would recommend making a list of accounting firms, PWM firms, ibanks, and other financial positions to cold call. Go through the list and mark them off. This will first off build you sales and marketing skills, and teach you how to present yourself in the best & most concise way possible. Offer to work during spring & fall for places near you (you can easily work your school schedule around it). The road to success in the business world is tough, because it requires a lot of stamina.

My recommendations:

1.) make a list (at least 20) of all the places you could realistically work for. Include accounting, PWM, Ibanks, and any other financial firms.

2.) call all of them, leave voicemails, and then a week later send an email. Make sure they are concise & say all the main things: What your looking for, when you can work, and your experience.

3.) Take notes next to each item on what happen during the call: no answer, left voicemail, responded and said to call back in a week, anything to remind you of how the call went.

4.) If none of that works, go to your finance and accounting professors and request to get your hands dirty in some research etc.

5.)Begin following public companies, learn about industries, trade a paper account. Be ready to talk about it and what companies you follow in interview so people know your legit. I got so many questions about the companies I trade on my own with, someone asked me to sum up my investment thesis in 30 seconds. I literally said "increasing margins, consistent free cash flow, stable macro environment, shareholder friendly management, not to mention the best selection of coffee" (SBUX when it was at $47) (an example of how to be concise)

5.) If that still fails, go get drunk at a bar and do the whole process over again with a fresh state of mind.

Many people don't want to have to sit and read a long email. Being concise is one of the most important skills I have learned.

Hope this helps, coming from someone who's gotten an average of 4-6 hours of sleep these past two years.