Non-target, no Finance degree, no IB experience and East Europe, guidance?

I would want to listen if someone of you has more specific guide for my situation: I am from Romania, I am in my 3rd year at law school (big regret), no finance internships, and 3.5 GPA. Some good things: 1) Fluent in Spanish and English, and basic fluency in Russian and Italian, 2) Studied abroad in Spain and Italy, 5 months in each. 3) Followed some courses at Faculty of Economics such as Economics, Accounting, Corporate Finance, etc.

We have Société Generale and BNP doing some recruiting's from time to time in Bucharest but they often require French from those who apply and HR strictly recruits students from Economics, Accounting or Finance.

Are there options to get directly into IB in the following months or after my graduation in 2022 or I need to follow the path of going into a Law Firm, stay there for 2 - 3 years dealing with securities law and then get into IB? Should I prepare for the CFA during my 4th year to show that I have some finance exposure and I am comfortable with numbers?

 
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Interesting background. I think I read somewhere on this forum that having a law degree is looked upon favorably in IB

If I were you, I'd go into securities law for a few years. There's value in that. You'll probably develop a solid network you can leverage to move into IB, and once people know your work - might be an easier transition. In the meantime, consider relocating to one of the hubs. Skip the CFA

Take what I say with a grain of salt, please.

 

This is bad advice but only because he's not American. Securities law in Romania isn't going to get him an ASO role where he wants.

 

Mumbles

Interesting background. I think I read somewhere on this forum that having a law degree is looked upon favorably in IB

If I were you, I'd go into securities law for a few years. There's value in that. You'll probably develop a solid network you can leverage to move into IB, and once people know your work - might be an easier transition. In the meantime, consider relocating to one of the hubs. Skip the CFA

Take what I say with a grain of salt, please.

Former lawyer here. A JD will hurt you if you try to enter IB. There are far better ways to break in. It doesn’t matter if you were an analyst before law school and majored in math or finance. It is very uphill. 

 

A JD will hurt you if you try to enter IB

How exactly is viewed a JD by IB? I thaught it was something normal as there are lawyers in IB.

 

MBA at a top 15 program is the best shot of getting into IB

 

Agree with this, but consider the timeline. T15 MBA will be entering Fall 2022 at the earliest, so you're graduating in 2024. That's a long time and a lot of money after paying for law school. Plus as an international you're severely limited in IB recruiting because a lot of firms don't want to sponsor visas.

Are you 100% opposed to any type of law as a career? IB is going to be an extreme uphill battle, is a pretty shitty lifestyle, and you will be 3-5 years older than your ASO class. 

 

I considered insolvency and restructuring or M&A, but they seem to be tied to IB and from what I had read the interesting part (decisions, strategy) is done by IB and lawyers are to support (documents).

 

Compliance or corporate governance is a cushy area that pays the same (assuming you are at biglaw) with relatively less stress and a much more predictable schedule compared to the poor souls who do m&a or restructurings. Ill do that instead of IB if you are not hell-bent on it 

 

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