Study Abroad Next Fall–Recruiting?

So I know this question's been asked in the past, but since recruiting timelines have changed I thought I should ask again.

My semi-target school recently released study abroad placements, and I was picked to go to Western Europe this coming fall. I thought that accelerated recruiting meant that 2021 SA positions would be filled by 2020 fall semester, but what I've been hearing from banks coming to campus is that interviews and superdays may trickle into the fall. It will be difficult and near-impossible to change my study abroad term to the spring.

Should I still consider going abroad during the fall or forget it? (Maybe banks could fly me back across the Atlantic for superdays?) I know how study abroad is a formative experience, but it's something I'd ditch in a heartbeat if it meant I got a job.

 

As someone in that position it will depend on how strong of a candidate you are and what cities you're recruiting for. If you think you go to a semi target and can get a BB/EB you'll be fine. If you're looking at some regional places like HL and Harris Williams and Wells Fargo type banks you should reconsider. It is a MASSIVE disadvantage to be abroad because the firms will not fly you back. Case dependent for sure though.

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I go to a semi-target (although a liberal arts major so am not in the business school) that mid to lower-tier BBs (eg. Citi, UBS and not so much EBs, though we do send a couple kids there), and am spreading my net wide in terms of banks so everything's up for grabs. Like I said, I just want a job.

To be honest, I have no idea of my strength. I have a decent ~3.7 GPA, an accounting internship last summer, and no personal network, but have no problems networking with alums. Where does this place me in terms of "strength"?

 

You're in a better situation than I was. You'll be fine. This year appears to have some firms starting even earlier than last year with companies like Piper kicking off instead of waiting till mid to late summer. Plus western europe primarially starts late-ish august so lock something down and party it up in europe in fall

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Firms will not fly you back, they will just do a video interview. This does put you at a bit of a disadvantage, video is hard to impress on when all of the other candidates are there in person.

You said you've spread your net wide, I'm hoping that means you have strong contacts up and down the spectrum of banks. Get in contact with them, start asking about their recruiting timeline and specifically mention you're studying abroad. If a bank wants you they may accelerate.

Also, when does your program start? Some in Europe are not until mid/late September, which would be fine for recruiting.

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Most Helpful
eloquence:
You said you've spread your net wide, I'm hoping that means you have strong contacts up and down the spectrum of banks.
What I meant by a wide net is that I will just apply to lots of banks. But I do have a spreadsheet of potential contacts. I have only begun to reach out, so that's an ongoing process.
eloquence:
Firms will not fly you back, they will just do a video interview. This does put you at a bit of a disadvantage, video is hard to impress on when all of the other candidates are there in person.
I hate video, only marginally better than Hirevues. If I just suck it up and pay out-of-pocket to fly to NYC, would that work?
eloquence:
Also, when does your program start? Some in Europe are not until mid/late September, which would be fine for recruiting.
See the thing is that I don't know since my school's study abroad program is either understaffed or run by idiots. I do know that they said "mid-August", but my school has an international student orientation, so it may end up being early August. Will this pose a problem, cause I might just be able to skip it.

Thanks for the help/advice!

 

Hypothetically you could fly out of pocket to NY, but on a few days-2 weeks notice that's going to be a $$$$ flight (hell of a story to tell at the superday though)

I would double down on recruiting in the coming months, seriously start firing off timeline emails soon, and then enjoy your study abroad. Not every bank is waiting until September

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