Combating Weakness
So high finance across the spectrum attracts the most talented, hard working, and intellectually curious individuals who want to create a successful life for themselves. Often times, especially for interviews, we try to find weaknesses that we can then spin into strengths to maximize our candidacy.
I wanted to create a thread where we can self-reflect and highlight true weaknesses that we might be struggling with and share advice and stories on how you may have dealt with those. I can start, I struggle with motivation and being a heavy procrastinator relying on fight or flight (or adderall) to kick in before producing any substantial work. Anyone deal with something similar?
Not a place for for criticism but more an opportunity for shared experience learning which this forum is all about.
I thought I had a problem with motivation but I don't. I have a problem with discipline which is much more valuable than motivation. Getting the work done is especially important when your not motivated. A good example of this is weightlifting. Anyone who lifts regularly (exercise in general) knows that to get better you have to show up and do the work whether you are motivated or not. Definitely a key thing that I've been working on.
I'm one of the worst procrastinators ever. I think it's because I can push things off to the last second and still get great grades. It sucks when I want to do anything that's more than what's required. Which is why banking should be good for me, due to the various work you have to do and all the deadlines.
I worked in finance this summer and that helped me get over the procrastination. I realized my issue was I was thinking too much about the task, if I really wanted to do it, and the meaning of doing it. I legit just started thinking less and it has helped immensely.
That is very interesting and reassuring @cavalierbanker". From what you are describing, it sounds like we struggle with very similar issues. I'll be interning as an IBD SA and I hope what you say rings true so that I can "break" out of this mentality. Over the summer I hope I can learn to self-motivate (or self-discipline? as Bayoumonkey described) because for me it definitely is a combination of both.
What other issues do people seem to struggle with?
acquisitionandmerger, as a friendly FYI, if you want to tag someone, you need to add a quotation mark after their username.
Thank you, Sil :)
How shore up weaknesses in profile (Originally Posted: 11/26/2012)
Hi all,
I'm currently an undergrad in my final year (University of London) and on track for a First Class Honors grade in Banking and Finance. Due to the way my course was structured and my aimlessness during the first 2 years of university, I only have the basic modules in Math/Stats. Didn't do great in them as well. Furthermore my grades then were pretty dismal until I found my own motivation. Thank God it's now exponentially better! Also since it's my final year I can't take any more math mods to show that I can do the quant stuff.
I do however have an A in Econometrics and after this year probably an A as well in both Quantitative Finance and Investment Management. Both my professors in QF and Econometrics are also willing to provide me the necessary recommendation letters. What I want to ask is does all this send a strong enough signal of my quant side for me to get into a top tier MFin/MFinEng program? For example hopefully LSE/Imperial College or if I could dream, MIT MFin or Oxbridge.
After my exams next year I do intend to take the Quantnet C++ online course as well as scoring for the GMAT/GRE to try and make up for weaknesses. I'm confident of scoring 700-ish for my GMAT. I do have a job lined up for me after I graduate, working in a local Asian bank (CIMB). Hopefully it can be in some related field that will improve my chances. Or I could opt to try and get some decent internships in Big4 or more reputable banks after I graduate.
Will a good quant grade in GRE/GMAT be enough to reassure the admissions that I have the necessary capabilities? Sadly, there are no part time math courses over here that I know of which I can take.
Really all help will be greatly appreciated! I am pretty confused right now as to how I can bolster my chances.
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