#Career Choices #Finance #Internships #Corporate Banking #Investment Analysis #FDD #Networking
Hey there! So you’re feeling a bit lost in your career journey, huh? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many of us go through periods of uncertainty and confusion when it comes to figuring out what we want to do with our lives. But fear not, there are always options available to you, even if you feel like you may have made some missteps along the way.
Let’s break down your current situation and explore some potential career paths that you could pursue without having to go back to school:
### Evaluating Your Internship Experiences
– Valuation Analyst: Loved the work and the people, gained experience in DCFs and comps analysis.
– Financial Analyst: More focused on data analytics, may not have been as fulfilling as the valuation role.
– Internal Control Rotation: Mind-numbingly boring and not finance-related, feeling stuck.
### Potential Career Paths
1. **Corporate Banking**:
– *Skills Needed*: Strong analytical skills, financial modeling, client relationship management.
– *Networking Tips*: Reach out to professionals in the field, attend industry events, join LinkedIn groups.
– *Potential Transition*: Highlight your financial analysis skills from previous internships, showcase your ability to work with high-net-worth individuals.
2. **Investment Analysis**:
– *Skills Needed*: Deep understanding of financial markets, strong quantitative abilities, strategic thinking.
– *Networking Tips*: Connect with professionals in investment firms, attend investment conferences, start a finance-related blog or social media presence.
– *Potential Transition*: Emphasize your experience with DCFs and comps analysis, demonstrate your passion for investing and financial analysis.
3. **Financial Due Diligence (FDD)**:
– *Skills Needed*: Attention to detail, financial statement analysis, ability to identify and assess risks.
– *Networking Tips*: Reach out to professionals in the transaction advisory space, join relevant industry associations, take online courses in FDD.
– *Potential Transition*: Highlight your experience with financial analysis and data analytics from previous internships, demonstrate your ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
### Finding Your Path Forward
– Consider reaching out to professionals in the fields you’re interested in for informational interviews.
– Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
– Take online courses or certifications to enhance your knowledge in finance and related areas.
– Attend networking events and industry conferences to meet potential employers and expand your professional network.
Remember, it’s never too late to pivot and explore different career options. With determination, hard work, and a strategic approach to networking, you can find a fulfilling and rewarding career path in finance that aligns with your skills and passions. So keep your head up, keep pushing forward, and you’ll find the right opportunity for you. Good luck! 💼📈🌟
Oh yeah left first place cause wanted to try corp fin without looking into it and it also didn’t seem like I wanted to do it long-term
Start a business instead
20hrs a week? What’s the comp exactly? And pay increases ?
you finished with a 3.86 while puffing all day every day???
I am or I’m are extremely powerful words. So make sure when you use those combinations the tail end is positive and uplifting. Believe it or not, low on the radar, professional in finance are becoming $7Figure earners quite rapidly through leadership development serving middle income families. Instead of going for UNHWI (whales) 95% of the marketplace needs financial education and access to F500, specifically the highest rated in the industry. Again, keep a positive outlook. If you’d be willing to invest about $600 or less on CEs, Licensing, fingerprinting etc let me know. Plug-n-play, scalable, no territorial limits might be for you. You’d be in business for yourself yet not by yourself, if you qualify through the application process. Think BIG! 95% of the marketplace needs education, guidance, non-captive access, more options in personal finance and net worth building.
You had two internships? Not everyone college student gets that
I think you’re doing better than 90% of people your age haha. 70k a year for 20 hours a week?
Hahahaha this literally my experience. I got into the Rotation program. And it’s the same exact story. What made me stay for so long was the carrot on the stick with free MBA. Which I regret. But most people were sticking it out for MBA. Part time MBAs at Ross, Kellogg, and Booth were all doable while working. So not only did you get school paid for, but you could make another $150k in 2 years. This is an opportunity cost of almost $300k+ btw
So first let me explain the rotations. It’s not bad. Seriously a rotation program where you rotate 3 different finance functions is to get you to learn the business. You can spin that to your advantage during interviews because it is invaluable experience. But it’s under the assumption you complete the program. Also alumni and getting into programs is much easier for rotation programs. Like there’s a pipeline to top schools. Also you CAN choose your rotations. Even though they say you can’t. This is where at attitude matters and drive, you can’t just think it’s the end of the world. You have to network hard in the corporate banking, treasury, corporate strategy, etc . You have to constantly shadow these people, ask to meet with them. Explain to them it’s your career goals. Usually these departments will have 1-2 spots open up for “grunt” work that’s pre-mba. How they decide for rotation spots is that managers pick and choose who they want. So if you already built that connection , then he will advocate for you. If you can network with the executives of that team then your golden.
The work life balance is amazing. 20 hours a week is a joke, and I remember wasting the rest 20 hours also. If I could go back I would do this. Spend the 20 hours just upskilling yourself. Pivot out when you are done. You can literally do anything. Get a masters , get certifications, work on modeling / banking expertise. So that means interview everywhere. You have the time and freedom to do so. Trust me you are in a beyond lucky situation.
Let’s say worse case scenario you don’t get any interviews, just at that point suck up the rotation for 3 years and apply to part time MBA program. Where you work + have company pay for that shit + recruit heavy during mba. I say this because if you are only working 20 hours a week. Then it’s a joke you can handle OCR, School, and Work at the same time. Sometimes when you get a fulltime offer post-mba another employer can offer to buy out your student debt But this delays your timeline by like 4-5 years on your goals. It’s up to you I would suggest Trying to pivot asap in 2 years of IC, take advantage of the free time to upskill yourself and apply to all those roles you want. Do what makes you happy. But also it’s not the end of the world and you are in a good position to pivot at anytime. It’s just you gotta keep positive and don’t live a life of regret that freezes you
Use the extra time to develop/expand your skillset.
With only 20 hours a week, you have more than enough time to get a masters in finance for instance to give you another shot at summer analyst recruiting. Just a thought
I’m in a very similar situation. Was recruited to a finance rotational program with promises I would get to explore multiple finance roles that I was possibly interested in. A month before I get an email telling me I’m going to be working an operations role. 8 months in and I’m worried that I won’t be able to get a finance role that I’ll enjoy, like corporate development, IB, or M&A. Good pay, but I wish I was in a position feeding me experience and knowledge to fuel a future career path I was interested in.
P. 😀😵💫😵💫
Got an offer for a position like this – i am in two minds but this may have tipped the scales
I have friends that started in IB in their mid/late 20’s. It’s not that uncommon tbh. It may take a few years and roles to get into banking but it’s possible. Just need to think about how to leverage a new job potentially as a stepping stone to get some better exp on your resume.
how is 1 rotation 20 months
Can’t you just apply directly to corporate banking internships? Especially relationship management as you are social butterfly?
You can find a entry level role at another firm. It seems you have the aptitude so I’d start applying at other firms.
I know that 20 hours isn’t ideal if you want to see progress, but it just requires more self-discipline as a result and it still offers good potential. Especially at that comp. Use the spare time to figure out what exactly what it is that you want, work up skills for that, maybe prep to ensure that you can really get into a top MBA when that time comes (assuming that there is a free choice – I’m not sure how that works at your specific firm). With a top MBA, a clear idea of what you want to do, and relevant skills developed you should be in a great position. You just have to do a bit more of the lifting outside of work.
Ooh really
I’m sure you’re a great guy but damn does this read as the most entitled bullshit. A lot of people would love to have the opportunities you seem to fall into, and you’re just kind of stumbling around. Unfocused stoner lands 2 competitive internships and good job despite seemingly no drive, while apparently being very well connected in finance. It’s hard to root for that
Shut the fuck up.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now”
Someone told me that a long time ago and it really stuck. If you don’t like your situation, do everything you can now to change it. If you don’t want to be at your current job, apply to every position that remotely interests you and see what sticks. Go out to networking events and talk to everyone. Change is uncomfortable, but you’ll ultimately find a spot where you feel like you fit.
Hell, I served the guy who hired me into corporate banking lunch two years ago and it changed my life. On track to push 100k in the Houston area, which is more than enough for my lifestyle at the moment. Wouldn’t have any of this if I didn’t start that conversation.
Good luck to you brother. Make what you think are the right decisions everyday and the rest will fall into place.
Sounds like weed induced paranoia. Just kidding. Looks like you did well in school, high GPA and good internships. Now you’re in a rotational program, putting in the first few essential years you need in the industry (work experience). Many people think you are doing great, considering how much you actually work vs what you are paid, especially if your benefits are good.
I would say you are underpaid right now given your work experience. If you want to work somewhere else, research what you want to do, and start applying. The application process will give you a good understanding of what skills you may be lacking. Do what you can to work on those, and if there is any sort of certification/bootcamp/self-teaching you can work on that adds to your skill set and your resume.
Don’t stress yourself out. An MBA is a good idea for pivoting to a high finance role (sounds like that’s what you want) if you can get through the rest of your program. Get the experience, save and invest your money right now, learn exactly what skills you are lacking.
I was a pothead in college too so I understand how you feel. But honestly I don’t think you are a dipshit. It sounds like you’re doing pretty well lol