<p>Hi. I want to become an investment banker and I wanted to know what is the right path. I got accepted ED to Princeton, and I am thinking about working for a couple of years and then going to either Havard or Northwestern's Kellogg. Any advice? Also I am a minorty, African-American, does that help at all?</p>
<p>Pretty much what I've heard is if you are coming out from Princeton, just get good grades because what you learn for the job does not require much training at all. Ibanks like to recruit from the top top schools so by attending Princeton you have a head start. Interning or being involved in extracurrics would only help you I'm sure.</p>
<p>It's true.... you learn almost everything on the job, you just need to know a few basics. I know people that majored in majors that were completely irrelevant to business and they were hired by top firms like GS solely based on their grades and the fact that they came out of a well-respected Ivy. It just goes to show that these firms want bright people that can learn quickly, are personable, and can think on their feet. Come out with a good GPA, have leadership qualities, and practice your interviewing skills!!</p>
<p>Thanks guys!</p>
<p>-have a decent GPA (3.5 and above)
-have some internship experience (after freshman year do something in corporate finance, business strategy/development because ibanks don't hire freshman, then the summers after sophomore and junior year do I-banking internships)
-you'll work in ibanking as an analyst for 3 years
-if you want then you can probably go and get an MBA. </p>
<p>I plan to do something similar, only difference is what schools we go to. Man I shouldn't be helping out a rival...damn tigers. lol</p>
<p>Get good grades at P'ton and get yourself into some nice summer internships. You will be fine.
BTW I recommend you read Liar's Poker. Awesome book by a fellow Princetonian.</p>
<p>sup bern</p>
<p>It seems that even at the very top schools, the top students (who want these jobs) fight it out for the few there are. I know that my friends who got ib jobs really worked the alum at our college for the opportunities.</p>
<p>besides the ivies, what other undergrad business schools give a head start in I-Banking? How's NYU Stern?</p>
<p>stern is great for ibanking, definately!!</p>
<p>nyu, michigan, and mit.</p>
<p>
[quote]
besides the ivies, what other undergrad business schools give a head start in I-Banking?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NYU, MIT, UMich, Carnegie Mellon, and even BC if you excel</p>
<p>"BC if you excel?"</p>
<p>Basically any college if you can accel.</p>
<p>Micalo, if you graduate from Princeton with a good GPA and take some initiative (internships, career fairs etc...), doors will open, both I-Banks and later on, MBA programs. Being African American will help as well.</p>
<p>Thanks guys for all your help!</p>
<p>Does "I-Banking" mean internet banking?</p>
<p>Investment Banking</p>
<p>"Interning or being involved in extracurrics would only help you I'm sure [in getting into I-Banking]"</p>
<p>what kinds of extracurrics are you talking about? I know that interning while doing undergrad is recommended, but what other extracurrics are required in college?</p>
<p>there's no REQUIRED extracurricular activity, i'm just saying that most of them would help your application and definately not hurt it</p>
<p>I have a question for Alexandre (or really anyone else can answer it)...I'll be going to Northwestern next year and graduating in 2009, so if I can get a job in investment banking, would I move to New York to work at their headquarters or stay in Chicago and work there? Thanks!</p>
<p>You could end up anywhere UC_Benz. Goldman Sachs, J. P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Larard Freres, Lehman Brothers, BNP Paribas etc... all have North American, Euopean and Asian headquarters, and if you speak any languages, you could end up at any of their main offices...including Chicago and San Francisco.</p>
<p>I have five major recommendations:</p>
<p>1) Keep your GPA as high as possible ( at least a 3.5)</p>
<p>2) Take several classes in Calculus and Statistics, and hone your presentation and computer skills (especially your excel and powerpoint skills)</p>
<p>3) If at all possible, take Finance classes at Kellogg. Sometimes, classes are open to non MBAs.</p>
<p>4) Perfect a foreign Language. I recommend Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Russian or Spanish.</p>
<p>5) From day one, see how you can get interships at financial institutions lined up. Go to the career office and speak to professors and to students in-the-know.</p>
<p>Good luck to you. You are off to a very promising start by enrolling into one of the very best universities in the Country.</p>