What are my options? - Looking for guidance on how to break into IB

Hi all,

looking for guidance on my options, and what I can do to break into Investment Banking.

I am an '09 grad, and went to a solid consulting firm after college (not MBB).

I am looking to make the switch to investment banking, and have previously tried to lateral hire into an analyst role. (Unfortunately, the consulting background was not looked upon favorably)

Is there still a chance that I would be able to join a firm as a 1st year analyst this coming summer (so would be as if i graduated in 2010 as opposed to 2009)? If so, how should I go about applying for these positions?

If this above scenario is not possible, is my only other option to suck it up at my firm, go to an MBA program, and come in as an associate? I am not looking to do this because this is an extra 3-4 years and would prefer to go through an analyst program to keep my options open down the road.

Thanks.

 
Best Response

factors to consider -

  1. how this looks on paper - you've not been there a year - why are you bailing?

  2. if you want to work at a BB (i assume you do) then you have to consider:

- where did you go to university? what were your grades like? the answer to both of these questions needs to be excellent. - what was your degree in? if it isn't econ or finance, go and do a one year masters in econ or finance (could even do a night class whilst you keep your job) and go in that way - if your degree wasn't econ/finance then as a bare minimum your going to need mbb on your CV, and more than that, your going to need to be good at what you do.

Ultimatley, BBs are very very tough to get into, and if you don't meet these criteria now, then plan for the MBA; do what you need to do so you can do what you want to do.

Good luck

 

anonymousman, thanks for replying

1)Well the reason for the switch is because I wanted to do banking coming out of undergrad - but '09 was the worst year to come out, so I did not have much luck in getting an analyst gig.

2) I wouldnt ONLY work for a BB. most MM and elite boutiques are of interest to me as well. My GPA was not amazing but not terrible - a 3.5. My degree was in finance.

I have been networking with some contacts, and everybody agrees that if this is what I want to do, then there is no point in waiting it out at my current firm.

Is there a possibility that some firms did not hire enough new hires back in the fall, and would be looking to fill spots in the new class of 2010?

 
what2do:
Youngblood,

Which MM firms are still hiring at this point?

Unfortunately I don't know, my firm is a BB and I never went through MM recruiting/interviewing. It's completely speculative at this point, so your best bet would be networking as best you can to as many firms as you can. That being said, I agree with the above poster, you might want to try going the MBA --> Associate route. Good luck man.

 

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