US-Based Opportunities out of European MSF Degree?
Hey all,
I'm headed to HEC for their MIF program in September, and I'm trying to wrap my head around the full breadth of how recruiting works both in Europe and the USA.
I'm aware that most grads opt for European placements, and I'm not opposed to that by any means - but I'm an American citizen, and with having the ability to work domestically I'd like to fully understand all of my options.
From what I've gathered, the US and EU (EU including London for simplicity) have very different summer analyst program styles.
In the US, it seems to be more so that undergrads in between their junior and senior year do these programs for a summer, then go back to complete their senior year, then are offered a full-time opportunity starting the NEXT summer.
In the EU, I've gathered that summer analysts are kept on and begin working full time immediately after the conclusion of their program.
The EU version of things seems to be much more aligned with how the HEC MIF one-year degree works, and the US version of things seems to be entirely mis-aligned. So if I'm interested in pursuing such work in the US, will I need to be applying for FT opportunities straight out of the gate?
Any advice/context from anyone who might have made the EU B-school to US IB leap (or has knowledge of how folks have done it before) would be amazing, thanks!
Yeah, so it's gonna be nearly impossible to make it to the US from HEC. It's a top school but unfortunately doesn't have much brand equity in the US. Also, US recruiting heavily revolves around networking and alumni presence, so being at an international school is a massive obstacle. There is one exception to that: French banks like to bring in students from top French schools to NY whenever they can, so you could recruit for the NYC office of BNP, SocGen, CACIB, or Natixis from HEC - I've seen it happen before. Otherwise, you'd be better off applying to roles in Europe (despite the visa issue) or going to a US-based program
Gotcha. That's really interesting in regards to the NYC placements from French Banks - had no idea that's a common practice. Thanks for the input!
I know a few people from HEC who managed to land in the US - AFTER working for more than a decade in Europe (average I have seen).
- After starting in Paris (a common work location after HEC), they moved their entire life and family to London or Germany and then were transferred out to the US.
- UK is a good location to transfer from to the US because of the US network you can tap once you are there. Naturally, I have never met more Americans in Europe than in London, which makes sense if you consider language and culture.
- Germany is a potential second location for transfers because they have long-standing commercial relationships with the US, mostly in industrials, automotive, manufacturing and similar areas. Some regions have more US Americans than others, sometimes in relation with relevant industries.
- Most Americans I met in Europe eventually returned to the US, the HEC people kept in touch with their US network and leveraged that into a transfer or a visa-sponsored (executive) offer.
- One HEC guy I know won the DV lottery green card (EU generally has worse odds than other continents but they were married and had two shots per year).
If your goal is to live and work in the US I would plan ahead and see what the options are long before moving.
I did quite a few posts on the topic - linking them below. But broadly I would agree with what has been said. Easiest path to the US (given that this is for the IB forum) in my view should be: SA at a BB in London -> 2-3 years in London -> transfer internally to the US office of your choice.
Hope the below is helpful and let me know if you have any specific questions to your case but everything should be broadly covered.
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/20-most-frequently-asked-questio…
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/comment/1837977#comment-1837977
Thanks! Will read through those threads. Any opinion on what anonymous intern said elsewhere in this thread about getting recruited for the NYC offices of French banks?
Most of these french banks offer a temporary contract at a lower wage calle a VIE - it's a way for french people to get some experience abroad a low cost for french firms. Not 100% sure what conditions are tied to these but they way I understand them is that it's tough to get FT roles from these. Would not be the path I'd take if I were you. The step to a BB in London first and then to NYC is much better.
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