The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread

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  1. Brianop's Avatar
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    • Posts: 98
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    So, how about this weird one guys...

    My friend graduated in medicine at sofia in bulggaria
    ..He wants to go into IB, good enough?
  2. plod2's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 66
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    hi so I go to imperial and I'm studying mech eng I got 75% for my first year and got 3 A*s in maths, fmaths and physics with an A in chem at a level.

    I have no connections, no work experience, no extra curricular, not much knowledge of finance so would I have a chance?
  3. Brianop's Avatar
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    • Posts: 98
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by Brianop)
    So, how about this weird one guys...

    My friend graduated in medicine at sofia in bulggaria
    ..He wants to go into IB, good enough?
    An answer to this one please?
  4. TheJ0ker's Avatar
    • Peer Of The TSR Realm
    • Location: Four dimensional paradise
    • Posts: 1,729
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by Brianop)
    So, how about this weird one guys...

    My friend graduated in medicine at sofia in bulggaria
    ..He wants to go into IB, good enough?
    That really no where near enough info to be able give a good answer is it?
  5. Brianop's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 98
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by TheJ0ker)
    That really no where near enough info to be able give a good answer is it?
    Just on the basis of degrees..
  6. Bankahoy's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 17
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by Brianop)
    Just on the basis of degrees..
    You can get into IB with any type of degree if its from a good uni and your CV is good enough..

    Its not like recruiters go "Oh hey, he's doing Economics! He's in!"
  7. Bankahoy's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 17
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by plod2)
    hi so I go to imperial and I'm studying mech eng I got 75% for my first year and got 3 A*s in maths, fmaths and physics with an A in chem at a level.

    I have no connections, no work experience, no extra curricular, not much knowledge of finance so would I have a chance?
    Good grades, good school- you have a chance, albeit not the best. I would recommend getting extra-curricular related to finance, e.g. go to conferences or try to get a committee position on finance society. Since your only starting second year now you should be able to get some relevant work experience too.

    Re connections, you're in London.. Get to know people and start networking, if you have no connections that's your own fault
  8. Miryo's Avatar
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    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    I really want a career in this industry and my A-level grades will be good. It's just I have no contacts, how can I start meeting some people in this profession?

    Also, is it vital to have contacts if you want a career in it?

    I have had no work experience but havent gone to uni yet
  9. lmq0209's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Location: London
    • Posts: 49
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    Hi there, I just finished my a levels and going to do maths at UCL. I'm a bit worried as I didn't do Economics at a level and lack some general knowledge about finance/economic. What level of knowledge should I have in order to demonstrate my interest when I apply for spring weeks? I'm trying to read the Economist but there are some glossaries I don't know the meaning of. Are there any books you would recconmend that can introduce me to the basics of finance? Many thanks.
  10. stackemup's Avatar
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    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    Maths vs Stats

    Or are they regarded the same
  11. rajabilal's Avatar
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    • Posts: 103
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    Hey guys , Im looking to apply for a 2nd yr internship in BO/MO for a range of banks. What are my chances.
    A lvls AAA bio chem physics
    Bsc Biology at Imperial college London (on track for first)
    boxing & american football team
    Union position on welfare board
    little relavant work experiance but have worked in logistics in a transport company
  12. Industrious Orca's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Posts: 510
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by Miryo)
    I really want a career in this industry and my A-level grades will be good. It's just I have no contacts, how can I start meeting some people in this profession?

    Also, is it vital to have contacts if you want a career in it?

    I have had no work experience but havent gone to uni yet
    Go to a target university then worry about contacts and w/e.
  13. Industrious Orca's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Posts: 510
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by lmq0209)
    Hi there, I just finished my a levels and going to do maths at UCL. I'm a bit worried as I didn't do Economics at a level and lack some general knowledge about finance/economic. What level of knowledge should I have in order to demonstrate my interest when I apply for spring weeks? I'm trying to read the Economist but there are some glossaries I don't know the meaning of. Are there any books you would recconmend that can introduce me to the basics of finance? Many thanks.
    Economics is not finance. Read the financial times, bloomberg, reuters etc and read up on what a bank does and what each division does and how they interact.

    This book is good to start on: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Need-Know-Ab.../dp/0955218632
  14. Industrious Orca's Avatar
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    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by stackemup)
    Maths vs Stats

    Or are they regarded the same
    At the same university they're pretty much the same. Choose the one you would prefer to study/will do best in.
  15. Industrious Orca's Avatar
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    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by rajabilal)
    Hey guys , Im looking to apply for a 2nd yr internship in BO/MO for a range of banks. What are my chances.
    A lvls AAA bio chem physics
    Bsc Biology at Imperial college London (on track for first)
    boxing & american football team
    Union position on welfare board
    little relavant work experiance but have worked in logistics in a transport company
    Decent chance of interviews as long as you write some decent CVs, cover letters and competency questions with good reasons for why you want to be in finance despite having no finance experience/ECs etc.
  16. Industrious Orca's Avatar
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    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by thexmanin)
    Hi Everyone,
    I am interested in risk management, but I am not sure if I have a chance to get a graduate position in this industry. I have BEng Civil Engineering (First Class) from Portsmouth University (not a target university), and I am going to do MSc & DIC Transport and Business Management at Imperial College London. In my high school I got 84% (equivalent to 69% in the UK) from one of the best schools in my country which is requires an entry tests (i.e. math and physics) and IQ test. I have the basic knowledge to program with C++ and Visual Basic; I am not sure whether it’s a good thing. Also, I am fluent in two languages: English and Arabic, and have basic knowledge of French.

    I don’t have any relevant work experience in finance, however I am going to join the finance society in Imperial College. I used to be a member of the athletic club in Portsmouth University and I am going to join the athletic club in Imperial College.

    On the other hand, I could go and work as an engineer for about 3 to 5 years (as imperial college postgraduate degree will give an average starting salary of £35,938 according to the postgraduate prospectus 2012-2013) and after that apply to get an MBA from Oxbridge, LSE or one of the American top business schools. This MBA degree will give me the chance to start as an associate in one of the top IB. In addition, this way is safer and gives me more options in the future.
    If you want to be in risk management then apply. Imperial will look good on your CV. If you want to be an engineer then apply for that. Don't waste several years doing something you don't enjoy. Just go 100% for one or the other; as i say, Imperial will look good.
  17. SonnyZH's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by rajabilal)
    Hey guys , Im looking to apply for a 2nd yr internship in BO/MO for a range of banks. What are my chances.
    A lvls AAA bio chem physics
    Bsc Biology at Imperial college London (on track for first)
    boxing & american football team
    Union position on welfare board
    little relavant work experiance but have worked in logistics in a transport company
    Why don't you go for commodity trading companies? Logistics experience could come in handy (chartering, freight rate background, etc.) in comparison to the bulge brackets.
  18. rajabilal's Avatar
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    • Posts: 103
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by SonnyZH)
    Why don't you go for commodity trading companies? Logistics experience could come in handy (chartering, freight rate background, etc.) in comparison to the bulge brackets.
    Havent really thought about it mate, will look into it , thanks
  19. Aliylum's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 25
    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    Hi everyone,

    I am currently tailoring my CV and covering letter with a view to going for consultancy. Targeting MBB first, but appreciate this is ambitious. Will be going for Big4 and boutique firms also.

    Applying for a summer 2013 internship. Will just give a snapshot of my background; I have posted my actual CV and covering letter in the appropriate part of the forums for advice.

    Education
    • Strathclyde, BA (Hons) Management & Entrepreneurship. 1st and 2nd year both passed with Distinction
    • The Open University, BSc(Hons) Business and Computing with IT - comlpeted two modules worth 60 credits at overall 85% and 82%.

    Experience
    • Economic development agency as European Funding and Policy Assistant. Outlined my unique commercial awareness, understanding how political and economic factors at a European level filters down to SMES. Also worked with a small team of consultants to develop a funding and engagement strategy, as well as did a stakeholder analysis.

    • Research studentship with Cambridge Judge Business school - assisting in the development of a new MBA module

    • Business awards scheme - directly supporting businesses to comlpete their applications

    • Development Advisor for a nascent jewellery retailer/entrepreneur - project management over the development of the organisation's website, financial analysis, developing strategies for training, CRM and social networking.

    • Medical Administrator in GP

    • Data Clerk for Scottish Government handling quantitative data and generating reports

    • Recruitment administrator for a charity

    • Sales assistant

    Leadership
    • Founded a management consutlancy society at uni, attracted interest from 2 large employers, enlsited 30+ members
    • Class rep

    Awards

    • Carnegie Vacation Scholarship, won a full award and was the only student from my uni to do so.


    Any comments welcome on my chances of going for consultancy, particularly top-tier. Many thanks for any help!
  20. miml's Avatar
    • Overlord in Training
    • Location: Warwickshire
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    Re: The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread
    (Original post by Aliylum)


    Education
    [LIST][*]Strathclyde, BA (Hons) Management & Entrepreneurship. 1st and 2nd year both passed with Distinction[*]The Open University, BSc(Hons) Business and Computing with IT - comlpeted two modules worth 60 credits at overall 85% and 82%.
    This will hold you back considerably. MBB don't even look at most Russell group unis, let alone outside of it.
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