<p>Do Asians (let's say, males) find it more difficult to get into business? Are they less likely to be recruited by top firms out of college, etc.? Or are qualified, motivated Asian students just as able to succeed?</p>
<p>Its really only as hard as you make it out to be in your head. There are loads of asians in investment banks and consulting firms, so to answer your question, yes.</p>
<p>I used to be believe in the same stigma when I first entered college. I thought it would be difficult for an asian male or female to climb the ranks of a corporation. Which made me kinda want to pursue a career in entrepreneurialship(working for myself). But after some time, I realized that it is a performance driven world and industry. Companies want performers and not brown nosers. Sure a good friendly relationship is great with a boss and employee, but without the performance, there's virtually no way to climb the ranks unless you're really really really lucky(0.1% lucky). Don't believe the stereotypes in the media, the people that succeed are driven to succeed. Its the only way companies stay afloat. If people got ahead because of their race or how much they kissed up, companies would be flopping over left and right and there would be no security in the corporate world.</p>
<p>^^Yes, but there is definitely a stigma for people of Asian descent--good with numbers and lacking people skills. This is something you will definitely have to overcome (if this is true for you) or prove wrong through extra-curriculars. Race really won't play a big role in your placement in a company until you get into the upper management ranks.</p>
<p>gonsenheim, that sort of stigma is exactly what I'm worried about. What kind of extra-curricular activities could I potentially pursue to break free of the stereotype? Are there specific things or is it just general leadership?</p>
<p>I don't know about Asians per say, but I know there are minority placement organizations that make it much easier for minorities to find internships and employment post graduation. </p>
<p>Regardless, I'm sure you will do fine. First and foremost, companies just want to make money.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Companies want performers and not brown nosers.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't completely agree with this point. I worked for one of the most highly regarded companies in the nation and brown nosing (along with playing politics) was the primary method for one's success in my department. </p>
<p>I'm sure if one's job performance can be easily quantified this would not be the case. However, my experience was that the managers and directors were really clueless on what the employees were doing and who was doing a good job and who wasn't. I also found I was the most successful when I did less work and got others (outside of my group) to do more work (they were still being paid by the company).</p>
<p>We had about a dozen contractors and the only one who received a job offer within a 2 year period was the one who brought donuts/etc every friday. Coincidence? I think not.</p>
<p>phoenix, get involved in activities that you care about, first and foremost. Just make sure that you maintain leadership positions in these activities. Do some volunteer work (the kind where you are working with people etc.). Things like student council (which require a high degree of people skills) will help you break free of that stigma.</p>
<p>Avoid the math club lol</p>
<p>I am not positive where you guys all reside, but in southern california, i have yet to meet someone entering into a career that fears this. I have not found one that is left behind because they were asian.</p>
<p>You might be thinking into it too much, although I'm sure it might make it more difficult as you get really high.</p>
<p>well considering the op is talking about recruitment from school, i don't think i am thinking into anything to much.</p>
<p>The truth is that some of the elite firms still have WASPY culture. Firms like Perella, Greenhill, and KKR like the traditional white male stereotype. You'll be fine though unless you must become a partner.</p>
<p>^ glass ceiling. Not very encouraging.</p>
<p>that's life.</p>
<p>With business becoming more global, I think you'll have more opportunities available to you than in the past. You could always go back to your country and work there also.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I don't completely agree with this point. I worked for one of the most highly regarded companies in the nation and brown nosing (along with playing politics) was the primary method for one's success in my department.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Completely and absolutely ditto. Some don't like brown nosers at all. But most are very susceptible to brown nosing. Sometimes it's a question of how obvious the brown nosing is. Other times the "brown nosing" could easily be looked at as sociable behavior.</p>
<p>One case that may illustrate this: I and a colleague worked closely with a consulting partner that began having serious family/personal problems. We started to notice him coming into work drunk or at least having been drinking. I kept my head down and tried to make it all happen for him so that he wouldn't be fired. My other colleague a real brown noser brown nosed with him, and at the same time he was going around telling everyone about how messed up our boss was (I later found out). Eventually I and my colleague sort of intervened and confronted the boss with reality, and both of us were harsh, direct, but really trying in the conversation to help him out. But guess who got all the credit for "really reaching out" to him? By the time I found out what my colleague had done to my boss' reputation internally my boss was already gone -- and he left viewing me as the one lacking compassion!</p>
<p>BedHead: I don't really label performance as picking up the slack with no acknowledgement. Essentially, in your situation, I think you should have pointed out to the guy that you were picking up his slack or atleast the boss should have known that you were. The whole situation is played incorrectly. The guy you were helping out obviously told your boss that your colleague helped him in a way that no one did(psychologically). Anyone could have picked up the slack. But com'on now. I just think you played the cards wrong.</p>
<p>You pick up slack and you tell your boss, i'm doing extra legwork to keep this company afloat.</p>
<p>How do you think that makes you look if you don't say anything? Picking up slack behind your boss' back? Com'on now, you aren't looking at it from all spectrums. It gives off a distrusting demeanor to me. I don't want my employees covering each others shifts or work. Its inefficent and unproductive.</p>
<p>Its like the age old question, "How do I show my boss that i'm better than the rest?" I believe you tell the boss and you get your colleagues to do the same. Because when you're the only saying, "I'm better than the rest." You're just bragging. But when others are saying the same about you, its true.</p>
<p>I do believe its true that some get by with brownnosing but for the most part, its how well you can work the game statistically. Achieving theoretical heights is much different than doing the norm and expecting to get ahead. I mean, its a no brainer when a junior executive position opens and its down to the company's historical record breaking employee and the kiss ass.</p>
<p>from what i've notice, i have not seen many asian that were not successful. most of them are pretty well off and rich or at least in upper middle class.</p>
<p>i agree with jp, but i must add one must always keep documentation of all extra effort, performance reviews, letters and so on just in case management passes by your achievements.</p>
<p>Wow southpasadena and I have come to an agreement. Screenshot!</p>