Cambridge Associates - Good Start for non-target undergrad?
So I'm interested in feedback about whether or not a position as a junior associate would be a good first job. I come from a non-target school with a low GPA (under 3.0) so I understand my options are limited in the first place. But I'm wondering if CA would be a good place to start and get experience so that I have a better chance at getting into a target MBA program?
I've done searches on the forum and read that consulting pretty much blows and is somewhat looked down upon from an IB standpoint, which is where I want to eventually end up. I've also read though that CA for it's name or maybe network has had a lot of people get into top 10 schools for masters programs.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Not really sure how much the name / network will help you as I'm not exactly in that industry. I will warn you though that I got an offer from them my senior year (2007) and the comp was pretty low.
Yeah, I've read reviews that have said their comp was low compared to others. I'm kind of wondering if it would be worth the sacrifice if I was able to eventually get into a good B-School because of the experience. And Matayo, I believe it was their Fairfax, VA office that had an opening.
which office are we talking about? the boston one?
You looking at the Arlington office? I've also heard comp is weak. That said, if you don't have anything else then it could be a decent place to start.
What are your other options?
I don't have anything else on the table. I've been applying and trying to network as much as I can over the past 3-4 months but aside from a few informational interviews and contacts at boutique places I haven't gotten any other interviews. With my GPA and school I don't know how realistic it is to be able to get a job at a big bank or much else because I don't have much that stands out.
ER, yeah meant the Arlington office
My offer was from the Boston office. Was just telling you so you are prepared. I wouldn't stress about comp too much if you think the job will get you closer to where you want to be.
Are you graduating right now? As an unemployed non-target with a sub-3.0 I would find any job hard to turn down, I haven't heard much about CA, but talked to one of the analysts there and it seemed alright. Not sure about comp.
Graduated this past semester. But yeah this is kind of my thinking, and if I wait 3-5 more months without anything then its 10-15k I'm out just by not following through with an opportunity.
I assume this is for their entry level research role?
Is this in the MIG (Manager Information Group) or in another department? If so, I'd be hesitant - I interviewed for that position same time last year, and like others have said, comp is really low, and the Junior Associate position in the MIG is all siloed data entry - the brand is not bad, but the actual position sucks. That being said, you'll actually be around a lot of young graduates from good schools (Wake Forest, UVA, W&M, etc) - one of my coworkers left C|A as an Investment Performance Analyst or something like that, and now works in B4 Management Consulting.
I interviewed for a research associate position in the Boston and got a pretty good impression from those I spoke with. They send kids to top bschools and its solid experience for FoF/Family office type work. Comp isn't the highest, but its not unreasonably low either. Not sure which position you are looking at, but if solid MBA is a goal of yours and you don't have many other options/leads, i'd say take it.
FYI: There is only so far you can go at CA without an MBA. If i remember correctly, once you jump one level, they require an MBA to get to the consultant level, so just keep that in mind
I worked with a guy that was a CA alum. He worked there for a few years did the MBA and joined me in PE while I was still working there. He was a smart guy and knew his stuff so it can't be all that bad as a training place.
Comp would be the last thing I would think about. If you are that young in your career all that matters is the quality of your experience and consulting would do that. You will make good contacts and either MBA or switch to something else.
There is a very large misconception on this forum that you HAVE to do ibanking to get to whatever it is you are interested in. I never did banking or consulting and ended up in PE then moved to corporate finance. You have plenty of time to make your own path.
Good luck, but I would take it and try it out for at least a year, better than playing xbox.
What you said is pretty much how I feel about it. Reading the forums you get the impression that theres only one option to break into IB or PE or whatever the flavor is. But I'm open to the opportunity and if it gets me closer to an MBA or at least add to a resume. Like you said, its early in my career and I should focus on the quality of my experience.
Also, appreciate everyone's input and advice. Thanks.
If you are on the client or research side, Cambridge provides great opportunities for business school (a lot of people especially from the Boston office go to MBA business schools ">M7 schools every year and all the schools come to the office to present). With some hustle you can also transition to banking or consulting (which is what I did) but its not a straight shot and requires a lot of effort on your part. If its in Ops or Performance reporting my impression has been that the work is pretty mind-numbing and very limited in terms of exit opps.
As mentioned, comp is not great.
Bump. Any more views on this?
Cambridge Associates - Investment Associate (Originally Posted: 11/08/2014)
Hi everyone.
I've got an upcoming interview for an Investment Associate role with Cambridge Associates. I have a 3.6+ GPA and I'm a 2nd year Teach For America corps member so I do think I am a competitive candidate. I went straight into TFA after graduating and I majored in accounting. I've been wanting to break into finance after Teach For America and I was excited about Cambridge. However from some things I've read I am not sure if investment consulting is really where I want to be and what I want to be doing (does this really matter for a "first job"?). I was planning on working for 2-3 years and then trying to go back to b-school and exit into buy-side. Cambridge does seem to be a place where you can learn a whole lot.
Does anyone here have insight about Cambridge Associates? I am concerned about exit ops especially if I realize I do not want to be working in investment consulting. Of course this is all contingent on receiving an offer. Thanks.
CA has been a great success for its founders, and it may be a great place to work, but adding it to your résumé will not give you the kind of opportunities after business school you might expect from a place that directs flows of institutional money to asset managers.
I do not share this view, but know people who view CA employees as cut from different cloth than M&A bankers, traders...etc.
Thanks for the reply. That is what I was afraid of. I was hoping TFA would help me land a job at a BB or MM doing something different than investment consulting but I guess I haven't networked well enough. I do not want to settle on a job if I am not sure if it's the right fit. But at the same time, rejecting an offer with nothing else waiting seems a little crazy.
I will see how the interview goes and what more I can learn about the role.
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