Q&A: Non Target. Non Diversity. No Networking. BO to MO to FO at BB.

Made a post about trying to find a mentor. It did not get a lot of attention so I decided to write this. No details due to anonymity.

Academic Background:

Average High School
2210 SAT
12 A.Ps
Perfect GPA

Average College
3.95 GPA
Passed SIE first semester of soph year
Passed CFA Investment Foundations
Taking CFA L1 in June

I do not have difficulty with school and learning. I have an analytical mind and very good memory. I love learning and pushing my mind. For some reason I can read extremely quickly and retain a lot of the info.

My background:

Come from poor family. Wanted to become lawyer but could not handle debt of going to law school. Decided to do finance because of high pay. Eventually want to make a foundation to help poor people in the U.S with access to education.

Main story:

No networking. Non target. Non Diversity. Intelligent, strong fin modelling, winner of several competitions at national level, full package for traditional high finance, etc. Struck out in recruiting after applying to 200 roles and only hearing back from one firm. Tried networking but after spam emailing and getting on phone call after phone call, decided to just blindly apply to things. I decided networking was not for me because everyone I spoke to would say " Yes you are good, keep trying, don't give up, etc." but never actually did anything to help me. A better use of my time was to teach myself using this site and its courses like the Interview Prep and guides for reference.

Secured the offer from the one place that actually interviewed me with nothing else in my hands. Interned at BB in MO/BO role. I took a risk and made it clear that I wanted to move divisions and teams from day one. Told supervisors that work they gave me was easy and my internship experience could be better if I did something more Fin Statement oriented. I performed well in all tasks and asked for more work. Got past doing intern work and started doing analyst work. Started to support supervisor doing work and heavily supported team in all aspects. I then begged supervisor to move me or help me. Based on performance , got moved to a different group. Was still in MO/BO but role was client facing and was a revenue generator (Based on internal organization of firm it was a cost center but had revenue). The new group had a lot of interaction with ER and IB. Was tasked with supporting a team where 2 of the 3 analysts had taken time off. Got hit with heavy work but blew everyone away with Fin Modeling skills and analysis. Received praise after praise. Mostly all work was analyzing filings, updating internal models (not used for valuation and IB), and sitting in on meetings with clients. I did some projection but was more updating stuff and pointing out relevant changes in data.

I expressed interest in moving to different role again. Managed to take the FT IB and Corp Banking training with incoming FT analysts. Absolutely leveled the FT people in all aspects. My deliverable/homework was perfect. Someone took notice of me. Was interviewed for several high finance jobs within same city and bank.

During the interview I was asked hard technicals and had a modelling test. I performed well and felt happy as I walked out of the testing room while the Ivy kids were struggling. The smug and arrogant smiles doesn't replace technical knowledge.

I took a big risk by andwering a question in a rude/demanding way. I was asked why I did not intern in a group like IB, S&T, ER, etc and why I wanted to move to something else. I told the interviewer that I did apply but was instantly rejected because their firm does not hire people from my school. I also complained to them about the mismatch in skills and backgrounds they look for when recruiting students. Interviewer agreed with me.

Fast forward 6 weeks after end of internship, received FT offer from original intern group, group I was moved to, and top IB group that expressed interest in me. Chose the IB team. My plan is to do 2 years in IB team and move to something else. 2 years is enough to pay off student loan and support my family. Am unsure of what to do next but I do not want to do IB because of hours and lifestyle. I want to be happy and contribute to society.

Advice to current students:

Prioritize your goals and always stay curious. The skills needed to work in IB are: emotional intelligence, financial modelling, accounting, luck, and not giving up. There were times when I was so lost, depressed, and isolated after being hit with rejection after rejection. Power through it and keep grinding. You only fail when you stop trying.

I have never had a mentor and am looking for someone to help me in the industry. I have worked my ass off to get where I am and I have never spoken with anyone about how I did it or what my next steps are. Spent entire Sophomore year not sleeping and being a teenager because I was learning everything I could from the internet and books. No one from my school is in IB, we have 0 alumni, only teachers know what it is, and I feel so alone. I am just looking for a friend and a voice to talk to. Preferably someone who I can connect with on LinkedIn and text/call once in a while for help.