Non-Traditional questions!

I've been lurking for a long time, but just recently decided to post. I've done a lot of research when it comes to finding the best ways to break into investment banking, but I only get bits and pieces that fit my story. I'm hoping that some of you more knowledgeable can help guide me here.

I feel like I have a ton of things to mention, so I'm just going to break down some key points:

- I'm 28.
- I have full custody of my five year old son.
- I slacked off in my early college years, hitting a sub 3.0 and dropping a lot of classes. I wasn't finding myself interested at all. My last three years of college will be a 3.8+. All of my drops have led to a very long college career.
- I've worked in random fields while attending school, mostly in sales.
- I'm going to be graduating from the University of Florida, and that's definitely not a target.

Everything I've read has mentioned it's harder to break into investment banking as an older adult because of perceived family obligations, inability to take orders, etc... Will it really hurt me that bad? Do I need to pursue an MBA? Or will the fact that I'd be getting the MBA right out of undergrad be a problem?

If you need any other information then please ask! I appreciate the time in your replies!

 
DAJ:
I have full custody of my five year old son.

What are your plans for child care?

IB hours aren't parent friendly, particularly in the first ~10 years of building a career.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 
DAJ:

My son's mother will be local to wherever I am.

You cool with maybe seeing your son awake maybe once or twice a month? And is his mother cool covering him for all the rest of the time, as well as having to cancel any plans she has to babysit the kid when you unexpectedly have to work evenings or all weekend?

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 
pubfinanalyst:

Have you been in school 10 years? Got ourselves a real van wilder

Nope. I did a stint in the Army first. But thank you for your insightful response.

 

As above, the fact that you have full custody of your 5 year old is the biggest issue here by far - IB hours, especially when you first start and will likely be working 80-100 hours a week, mean that you will rarely (if basically ever) see your son. Difficult to manage unless the mother essentially has full custody nearly 24/7

 
Best Response

Im assuming you have 3yrs left in school, based on your third bullet point.

  • Broaden your search. IB isnt necessary. Plenty of great finance jobs out there with better career prospects & pay. The sooner your figure this out the better.
  • Direct to MBA will probably be pointless, a money sink, and a time sink at this stage (unless you are getting into a great school; but you likely arent). More degrees is not the right answer unless you are finishing undergrad with a horrendous GPA. Avoid at all costs.
  • I think the army background gives you a fighting chance.
  • Never bring up you kid during interviews for an entry-level analyst job.
  • Try to exclude anything that dates you as a 30-ish year-old from your resume. Dont include highschool, for example.
  • Take all of the networking/coldcall/emailing advice on this forum. Target people with a military background. Develop some white lies to make your back-story sound like you are bootstrapping your education/career, come from an unprivileged background, and that military/side-jobs were necessary to get you started. Make it sound good.
  • Start finding these people now. Try to get a side job in something finance related to take the place of sales jobs.

Definitely let us know when you succeed. Would make a great story

Array
 

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