How to get a Corp Dev/strategy job out of undergraduate

Hi there,
I'm a finance student, and I am interested in the field of corp dev / strategy. Would anyone here be able to share what a job in the field is typically like, as well as the kind of studies (in terms of finance modules) that I should pursue in my in order to get a job in the field out of college?

Thank you!

 

I really hate to be a downer, but this scenario is next to impossible. The only real chance you would have would be to get into an entry-level rotational finance program. Some places, albeit very few, will have a rotation through their Strat/Dev group. I work in a Strat/Dev group for a F150 CPG firm and when we hire for a new Analyst, which is almost never, minimum qualification is 2-4 yrs in Banking and/or Consulting. If this is the route you want to go, you really need to cut your teeth (build some skills) in Banking or Consulting before someone will hire you internally for that role.

 

From someone who came straight out of undergrad into Corp Dev (middle market healthcare company), these were the most relevant experiences that helped me there:

-Investment Banking internship (healthcare coverage group). -Industry focused during undergrad years due to trading specific stocks and school investment club (healthcare/biotech). -Networked heavily within healthcare industry at the exec/manager-levels. -Finance degree as well (not as relevant).

Best takeaway: be very industry specific in your undergrad years (classroom, projects, etc..) and do a high-finance internship (IB, PE, preferably anything coverage/M&A related). Why the hell would you apply to an energy corp dev team when your undergrad years had nothing to do with energy/energy finance?

 

@cedricTCS" this is an area that I am familiar with as I am currently in a Business Development Analyst role with a F500 O&G OFS company. I believe the best way is to get into a rotational program. Some examples include Air Liquide which offers a rotation in Business Development. Other O&G and even some defense firms have similar programs that groom talent to be placed into a Corporate/Business Development role.

Beyond rotational programs you can reach out to recruiters at major conglomerates such as GE, Siemens to name a few and see if they have openings for direct hires. If not ask about rotational programs or Operations rotational programs (different than IBD Operations).

You may not get in directly (same with myself) but once you complete your rotational assignments, opportunities may be available to transition into what you're looking for.

 

The best route into CD/CS is investment banking. Next is Corporate Strategy. Third is a finance leadership development program. That is, for early career people. Getting a CD/CS job out of undergrad is absurdly difficult and rare. They really want someone that has an idea about the industry, and if not that, the ability to perform the job function exceptionally well from the get go. It's not impossible straight out of school, but you need to decide what industry you want to be in and start learning that industry as well as M&A.

Best of luck.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

When you get a job in Corp Dev, there's a dead end if you don't have an MBA. Once you get to the post-MBA level, where you could potentially work your way to CEO, 2-3 years experience at a BB is mandatory for places like Google and Amazon. You could play on how you have experience in Corp Dev, but I'm not sure how that would work out. If you can get an offer with a BB or an elite boutique, you should take it.

 

I don't work in CorpDev so take this with a grain of salt:

From my understanding, an entry level management consulting employee is not breaking six figures. People take a large pay-cut when moving from IB to CorpDev, as there is a substantially better work/life balance. I think realistically you might be able to expect somewhere in your estimated range to be all-in comp, and not just base.

I hope that was a little helpful.

 
Best Response

What are the perks like? What's your work life balance looking like? Do you get any stock or ESPP?Even though you're working in Corp Dev, you have no experience whereas most of the other people coming in will have a few years of banking/consulting experience and can command a higher salary.

I work in tech now in a rotational program and the kids right out of undergrad, even the ones that go full time into Corp Dev after a year or so aren't breaking 6 figures for their base salary. Bonus' doesn't top 10-15% of base, but there are pretty good benefits and the overall comp probably comes in at over 100k.

If I were you, I would look for around 70-80k ish give or take depending on what the whole package looks like. Remember that undergrad guys at MBB only make $75k ish base and maybe a total comp of 100k. Banking they obviously make more, but if you look at it for a $/hr standpoint they're not making that much. Take a slightly lower salary but make sure you use the free time you have to do other stuff. As much as people on this board love to talk about wasting your 20s to get ahead is worth it, it's actually kind of fun to have some nights and weekends free while also working a pretty prestigious job.

Good luck.

 

CountryUnderdog's response looks about right. Need more info, but you're likely looking at ~$70k + ~10% bonus.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Corp Dev out of UG varies considerably, but you are definitely not breaking six figures. 60-80k all in comp would probably be the 25th to 75th percentile.

Factors influencing this are geography, size of company, size of corp dev team / activity.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

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