Post Graduation Advice

Currently a senior at a non-target in Chicago with a 3.84 GPA. I am interning at a small real estate private equity firm. Due to lack of deal flow, I have not gained any valuable experience at this internship.

My goal is to land a position as an analyst at a boutique IB in Chicago.

The problem is that I will be graduating in November 2010, and I was unable to get a SA position before graduation. Would it be possible to get into a SA position after graduating (Summer 2011)?

I am still looking for any and all finance experience I can get before graduation. Also, I plan on stepping up my networking efforts with hopes to get in as an SA in the summer of 2011.

Is this even possible? What other options do I have to better position myself to break into the industry in the near future?

Thank you for any and all advice, it is greatly appreciated!!

 
Best Response

I just commented on a similar topic in someone elses thread, but I don't think you can be an SA after you graduate from college. I don't know anyone who has done this, maybe someone else on the board has and can offer better insight.

Deal flow might be down, but working at a Real Estate PE firm must have helped you learn some skills. You must have worked on some sort of presentations and/or looked at some models that the firm used. No intern ever really saves deals or performs ground-breaking analysis (none that i've met anyways). whatever simple task you worked on, you need to spin that on your resume to show you added value. most importantly: be able to talk about the things you worked on with people who interview you.

i know people from non-targets with much worse grades and minimal finance experience end up at small no-name boutiques. you have a strong gpa and what sounds like a good opportunity to work in the financial services field. don't sell yourself short, network like hell, talk to the people you work with at the PE firm. If you've done a good job, they will undoubtedly want to help you get placed somewhere.

heres a sample resume, if you need help with how to word your accomplishments at your internship:

http://www.mediafire.com/?rgdjqwlyyqr

 

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