IBD/MBB Career Consult for Vets

For some reason unbeknownst to me, I've received at least half a dozen random (not from WSO) emails from guys serving and veterans asking for advice on how to get into finance (I always promptly direct them to more reputable/knowledgeable source) after their service is up. I know there are tons of resources for them (here, m&i, etc) but most of these guys have been completely out of the loop for 4 yrs and it SEEMs they could use some extra help (please any military guys correct me if I'm wrong).

I was thinking about possibly starting an NPO in a couple years after I'm done as an analyst specifically getting veterans connected and headed in the right direction for more competitive jobs (such as the ones we bicker about on here for hours). Ideally I'd like to match each guy/girl with a mentor to keep in touch with and help through either just starting college, MBA process, trying to get a boutique internship, connecting with veterans already in the industry etc. Does anyone know if this is already in place? Military guys is this something you guys would find helpful? I already have a pretty decent rolodex for my age and given another year or so it'll hopefully be strong enough to help out some of our guys out with. Thanks.

5 Comments
 

Thats a very interesting idea but you may want to set some parameters for it. You mentioned a mentor for beginning college etc but having an available avenue for officers is also something you should look at or guys who already have an MBA etc.

I think its a great idea for sure but the GI BIll is kind of a limiting factor for some guys as it makes in state/public schools extremely affordable but private/out of state not so much. Just a few things to think about and I'm sure there are other guys on here with insights as well. Really appreciate the nod though.

Oh yea, would you make the program competitive, ie interview process etc.?

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
Best Response
happypantsmcgeeThats a very interesting idea but you may want to set some parameters for it. You mentioned a mentor for beginning college etc but having an available avenue for officers is also something you should look at or guys who already have an MBA etc.

I think its a great idea for sure but the GI BIll is kind of a limiting factor for some guys as it makes in state/public schools extremely affordable but private/out of state not so much. Just a few things to think about and I'm sure there are other guys on here with insights as well. Really appreciate the nod though.

Oh yea, would you make the program competitive, ie interview process etc.?

I was thinking of having 2 tracks. First for vets that are serious but just starting college or don't have the right background yet, would somewhat less involved. The second would be fairly competitive and would have a ug or HS GPA cutoff. The second would do GMAT prep, direct networking w/ senior IBD or consulting individuals, etc.

To the GI bill, I broke into finance from a non target so I think that could work.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

I agree but there are more and more guys going in with a GED and illusions fo grandure so your phone interview idea would certainly help with that. I'm not sure how much support you would get funding wise if your mission statement was something like "Helping Vets get to Goldman" thats obviously a joke but I think its a great idea. I recently submitted the mind numbingly huge amount of paperwork to start a NP so if you wanna PM me I'd be glad to chat about it.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
happypantsmcgeeI agree but there are more and more guys going in with a GED and illusions fo grandure so your phone interview idea would certainly help with that. I'm not sure how much support you would get funding wise if your mission statement was something like "Helping Vets get to Goldman" thats obviously a joke but I think its a great idea. I recently submitted the mind numbingly huge amount of paperwork to start a NP so if you wanna PM me I'd be glad to chat about it.

Awesome, I will definitely follow up. To address you're point, to mitigate that I would say that these guys are fine to go over to some shit hole and get blown to shit for this country but don't have the right to work for the best companies? Additionally I would definitely willing to work with GED guys. It may not be GS or McKinsey but who knows. I'm thinking more so for guys who have ambitious career goals.

And I don't think initially it would take hardly any funding to get going. 90% of it could be done online. Akin to what we have here.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

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If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford

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