Much Needed Advice
Hello everyone,
I have been reading this site for sometime and finally decided to become a member. Unfortunately, right off the bat, I am going to ask you guys (or girls) a favor. I know this kind of a common question asked here at oasis, so I hope you can give me advice anyways.
I am currently in my last semester in college(non-target). My major is not a business major and I have a bad GPA. Why did I get interested in investment banking? Well, I truthfully did not know what I wanted to do. All I know is that I really like working, especially long hours and intense atmosphere. As I research more about the job, the more interested I got in it. While I know many people say this, but in reality, money is not my motivation in getting this job.
My question for all of you is what steps can I do to at least have a .00001% chance of eventually getting a job with investment banking. I know the process is extremely competitive with the most impressive people applying. My one saving grace is that I am extremely ambitious and will do as much as possible to improve my chances. I have been working since I was 16 and in college, I have moved up to the highest position that I can go as a student (probably pretty useless for IB).
I am currently reading Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers and Acquisitions, Fundamentals of corporate finance Standard Edition, and 48 Laws of Power (just finished). I was also thinking about studying for CFA level 1 and perhaps taking the modeling training offered by Wall Street Prep.
I was wondering what additional things I could do to increase my knowledge and my chance of landing a job. Really any advice or criticism is welcomed. I eventually want to get an MBA but my grades are hurting me on that. I was wondering if I could apply to a job that some what of the same experience as IB and transferring later, reading more addition material, or other steps that I have not thought of.
I really welcome the truth. If you think I am totally screw, I do too, but with my personality I still want to work at it. It is something I really want to do and I will work my ass off for it.
Thanks so much
1) Use your ambition to network. 2) Try to secure some kind of internship that is related to finance. 3) Join finance clubs/somehow show your interest in finance on your resume. 4) I would usually not recommend the CFA for banking (more of an IM type of certification); however, it can demonstrate your determination and interest in finance...
What is your geographic location?
what's your gpa and major
so let me get this straight...you enjoy working long, intense hours...yet you have a bad GPA from a non-target school?
how does that work?
if your gpa sucks you better hope you can suck a mean dick. youre fucked.
Wine- I appreciate the advice. Are there any certifications that would apply closer to IB that I could study for? Also, what are your thoughts on the modeling training from the wall street prep? While the certification would be nice, I am more interested if it really educates me to the level need for IB. I live in Texas, but I would work anywhere.
what-I would tell you but it is quite abysmal. I was hoping working a related job or getting certifications/internship and finishing strong could perhaps help my case. My major is biology.
Get this- I understand exactly what your thinking. Truth is I always enjoyed work more than school and make the immature mistake of putting the former over the latter, all the time. After reading Why we make mistakes, I realized that I was self-justifying my choice of uninteresting major by not taking much time to work hard at it. What I should have done was to understand that while I might not use my major, I still needed to work hard to show people that I am capable of it. In regards to work, I really do like the long hours and when things get really busy and stressful. I always love the challenge at work. I have amazing recommendations from all my bosses and now I am supervisor, but I am sure it is rather unimportant to interviewers.
Redline- Haha, if that is the case. I guess I don't want that job that bad. But if it comes to education myself and networking, I willing to go all out. Any advice, or is it already game over?
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