Do I Have a Chance - Undergrad degree from non-target

hello guys!

Wanted to get some expert opinions...

Moved to NYC last year and started at a retail brokerage firm. I like Asset Management but wanted to make the move into IB. Here are the two catches.

1.My Undergrad degree is from a non target school (finance).

2. I have two drug related arrests while I was in college. One was a misdemeanor (possession) but the other was a felony for cultivation of cannabis. (I was adjudicated not guilty not convicted of the felony but it still shows as a felony arrest).

I am willing to get an MBA to make myself a more robust candidate but do not want to go through the expense and time if the record is a deal breaker.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

Good to know that I have a chance, unfortunately the charge cant be expunged. I have a good amount of phone experience, you suggest researching small shops then cold calling their HR department and pitching myself as a hungry smart yet inexperience college grad willing to do anything to learn the trade?

I know the ropes in a brokerage firm, how to prospect clients, go on meetings and then sell them various investment products but have no working experience in IB. Should I be upfront about that?

Working @ a retail brokerage firm... Interested in what other jobs are out there in the World of Finance, if you have any advice feel free to PM me!
 
Best Response

First talk to a judge or lawyer and see what you can do about your background. I know for sure banks are real sensitive about it. Just try to be relaxed, and don't sound over-confident. Be humble.

Call an IB firm (most bulge brackets will just hang up on you)

Hi I am xyz. I am a sohpomore at X. I am seeking an internship, and willing to work for free. Is there a time I could potentially meet you for an informational overview of your firm? About 70% will hang up on you.

About 30% willl then say - what do you want to do?

I was hoping to be an investment banking analyst intern (Please research the firm and know what kind of IB they do. If they do M&A state M&A). Also state why IB, and why now (typically they eat up I like to make deals with people and work in a fast paced environment). Be positive and upbeat. If they say no - ask if they would know anybody they can refer you to.

Also meet with your school academic career center, and take any internship you can get if you don't land in IB. I used to want to do IB too - but I really wasn't cut out for it, and obviously wouldn't stand a chance even if I tried. Think about other avenues other than IB. I strongly recommend checking out the merchant marine program as well. Keep all door open! Keep us posted, and good-luck!

 

Ponzi,

thanks for all the advice! I graduated from a state school in may of 2013, since then moved to NYC and got a internship a a retail brokerage firm. For the past 11 months I have been working there but its all commission based.

One of the reasons I am interested in IB is I interview all these kids as part of my client prospecting and I see a lot of 24/25 year olds making 70k base!

I am curious what path you ended up taking? What work have you found?

Working @ a retail brokerage firm... Interested in what other jobs are out there in the World of Finance, if you have any advice feel free to PM me!
 

Dolor deserunt adipisci ex repellendus facere et. Quisquam a temporibus reiciendis amet ipsam dolorum. Sunt et quis et delectus. Libero tenetur sed quisquam laudantium corporis voluptatem repudiandae. Sit ab dolores placeat. Sit totam dolorum officiis consequatur laudantium nihil iure.

Nihil quasi rerum sed excepturi maiores. Quis sit cupiditate repellat facilis soluta voluptatem. In eligendi nostrum enim veniam et deserunt sunt. Odio possimus consectetur repellat. Architecto fugit et ad ipsam. Repellendus omnis officiis aliquam enim quia. Tempore culpa voluptatem ut fuga.

Quis qui illum molestiae numquam et sit sed. Repellendus quidem est ex at.

Quis sed vitae suscipit iste. Est rem dolor placeat dolores corporis. Est animi optio impedit est asperiores.

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 (14) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”