What Would You Do In My Position?

Hello,

Relevant stats:

1) 4.0 GPA from Arizona State University in Economics. Ranked first in my class with a 4.21 internal GPA - an A+ in every conceivable class except for one.
2) Currently work in government and have risen up the ranks fairly quickly - have decided government is not my cup of tea, and want to get into finance.
3) No relevant finance experience. I am currently applying for internships this summer, but obviously it's late in the game.
4) I developed an excel sheet that is used statewide that has improved the efficiency of workers and identifies trends on numerous issues (I know excel is important, so I don't know if this means anything or not).

I have the option to graduate one year early, and would therefore be graduating next year. I also have the option to double major in Finance and draw it out another year. What would you suggest a person in my position do if they want to break into IBanking. Assuming I can't land an internship this summer (which remains to be seen), I assumed I could graduate early and possibly get a Masters in Finance from LSE or Vanderbilt, yet I don't have any math classes under my belt beyond calc and the economic math such as econometrics.

If I happen to land a boutique IBank this summer, or even a Finance gig, would my cause still be hopeless, or would I be decently positioned if I double major for a SA next summer at a BB?

I guess i'm looking for a little direction on what someone in my position would do. I look forward to any insight you may have.

Thanks!

 

My thoughts:

  1. Transfer to a better school (you're only a soph so not out of the question)

  2. Notwithstanding your ability to transfer, do the double major in finance--network you ass off and try to get a boutique IB gig this summer (most likely will need to be unpaid)

  3. A. Continue networking the entire summer; ASU has a huge alumni base so I'm sure there are some guys on the street--that should give you a decent shot for BB SA your junior year

  4. Go out and party, it's thursday night.

 
Best Response
gstackle32:
My thoughts:
  1. Transfer to a better school (you're only a soph so not out of the question)

  2. Notwithstanding your ability to transfer, do the double major in finance--network you ass off and try to get a boutique IB gig this summer (most likely will need to be unpaid)

  3. A. Continue networking the entire summer; ASU has a huge alumni base so I'm sure there are some guys on the street--that should give you a decent shot for BB SA your junior year

  4. Go out and party, it's thursday night.

agreed. esp with #3. there's a reason why you have a 4.21. id be out if i wasnt at work . enjoy your time :)
 

How do you rise through the ranks quickly while still in school? Are you like the master chief intern?

Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
 

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

I don't think I will be transferring despite the fact that it will make IBanking likely. I have thought about it, though, and I just don't see myself spending money for undergrad (especially out of state money) when I'm getting an education for free at ASU.

What I'm hearing is that I might still have a chance. That's relieving to hear. If I don't secure an internship this summer in finance, do the chances substantially decrease, or is IBanking still a possibility if I network? Also, it seems most people are against the Masters in Finance and for the double major. Is there a particular reason for this?

Flake/helpmepleasthx, I work 30 hours a week (short of full time). I go to classes at nights and in the early mornings. I started out as an intern, and started working outside the internship on a variety of things, one of them being the excel spreadsheet mentioned above. The excel spreadsheet really helped the office, and therefore really propelled me, and I was hired on part-time (20 hours a week) to take over the position of a full time person. Then the speechwriter for the elected official (politician, i'd prefer not to name, but a prominent one definitely) was away on vacation, and I stepped in and wrote a speech. The politician liked it, and so I became his speechwriter taking over the speechwriters job while keeping my other responsibilities. Then while speechwriter/doing my normal job, I took on grant writing and have been on the grant writing team (team of three) bringing in over $100,000 to the agency last year. I then was invited onto a board for police officers - I'm low on the totem pole here, obviously... consists of sheriffs, etc. - and do everything that entails (mainly we help fallen police officers families). I also manage a coalition to help veterans in court, with psychological disorders, and get jobs - i'm mostly behind the scenes here, though.

So that's my story in government for the most part. I pretty much outed myself to the fullest extent, but now you have an understanding of where I am coming from. Maybe you will be able to help me relate some of that to the industry for interviews!

Thanks again for all the input, and please keep it coming!

 

Take more math classes (stats, calculus, etc.), one or two accounting classes, and gun for MIT master's in finance. If you get a good GMAT you can get in considering your 4.0. If you don't get in MIT, then consider Vandy, WUSTL, LSE. If you work 1 more year or so i'm sure Princeton's MSF would be possible (your GPA certainly won't be the barrier). Transferring schools is effective but you lose time to those who already have a network to get banking jobs and you lose that 4.0, I wouldn't do it, I think a 1 yr MSF is a much better option for you. While looking at MSFs if I were you i'd still be networking hard trying to get an internship or FT, if you don't need the MSF then why get it.

p.s. as for the dble major, i'd do it only if I knew I wasn't geting an MSF, an undergrad finance major then an MSF is nothing but an exercise in redundancy.

 

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