From Non-Target MBA to IB Summer Associate Intern
Just wanted to share my story from going to a Non-Target MBA (Rank 40ish) to getting an IB Summer Internship at a respectable IB firm. (Pays street and has a strong LevFin and huge Balance Sheet). Most of the WSO covered Non-Target at the UNDERGRAD LEVEL but never at the GRADUATE (MBA) level, so here's my post.
Coming from a non-target school, the journey was quite difficult and I had to network constantly. I started networking in May, reaching out to alumni, and joining the bank's event webinars to get connected with people in the firm. Afterward, I would reach out to them and request a quick zoom or phone call. So by the time I applied online in late September I had a few employee referrals under my belt. I made sure to have my technicals on point (using the 400 IB question guide), and I have friends in other MBA schools (Top 20) so I was able to network with them as well.
I got a phone call for round one in early November; it was pretty basic (mix of easy technical questions and behavioral) and nailed it out of the park. A week later I got a superday invite in mid-December. I made sure to have my TMAY, Why IB and Why "Bank X" polished. I had 2 back to back interviews but it was conversational with some technicals. I had a feeling that I nailed it, but the other people who were also interviewing go to NYU Stern, Booth, Tepper, Hass, etc so I felt intimated that they go to better schools and that they'll get picked over me. Fortunately, I got a phone call two hours offering me a position at this bank and I accepted it in a heartbeat. I'm so thrilled and excited to break into IB as it's been a dream of mine since my MBA journey.
If anyone wants to ask me questions, please feel free to do so!
Congrats on everything! I was curious as to how you approached studying for the technicals? I know you mentioned the 400 but was there a technique you used? How long did it take you to get solid with them?
So I have a finance background (worked in asset management prior to an MBA), so I was comfortable with the valuation and equity/enterprise aspect of the guide. I spent the most time with accounting and M&A/LBO questions. It took me about a solid month to be fluent in answering the technicals concisely and clearly, and I went through the guide multiple times. But to understand the material took me about a week.
Might as well have just said it was Wells Fargo lol
Excellent story. Now go get that FT.
Congrats on Wells Fargo!
how you know its Wells Fargo?
He goes to my school
Congrats but why did you have to bold the non target part lol
Congrats dude, great to hear stories like this
Go Rams
Super exciting and reassuring post. Would you mind if I PM’d you?
Headed into a similar situation and have a few questions.
Thanks!
Sure thing, send me a PM!
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