Sophomore interested in I-Banking

<p>Hello, I'm currently a sophomore at a non-target, top 30 school.
I'm planning to major in Econ, and have a 3.75 GPA.
I did internship at KPMG (a global accounting firm) this summer (before becoming sophomore), and have become interested working in Investment banks.</p>

<p>Yes, I do not have much knowledge about the field (something that I will obviously have to work on). Because of the lack of knowledge, it seems to be hard for me to grasp my current situation.
Everything seems to be frustrating with all the ppl in the forum saying that you have to be in a target school to be even considered, etc. </p>

<p>So, my question is, for a sophomore at a non-target school, what is the best thing I can do at this stage to at least better my chances to get an analyst job at a bb by the time I graduate?</p>

<p>I'm an international student (Asian), so I'm not too obsessed about working in NYC. Hong Kong would be as perfect for me. What are the prospects of getting hired in relatively less competitive places abroad (of course, excluding places like London)?</p>

<p>cmon guys help this desperate guy :(</p>

<p>What school are you at? Don’t be shy, it’s important to determine what opportunities there might be nearby, and also how non-target your school actually is.
What languages do you speak as well as a native?
How is your spoken English?</p>

<p>I go to Tufts, with Boston being the biggest city nearby.
I’m Korean, and yes, I’m fluent enough in English.
I’ve lived abroad for almost 10 years now, so I don’t think it is much of an issue.</p>

<p>It won’t be particularly easy for you to get a job in FO at a BB. Keep your GPA high, try to network if you can, and also target Boutique/MM firms. Honestly it will be difficult for you to break into IBD at a BB… so just be aware of that.</p>

<p>Yes, considering what I’ve seen in the forum, I think you are right.
That is why I am considering transferring to a target school (Cornell for instance).</p>

<p>We do seem to have some alumni (especially in JP Morgan) in the sector.
There is a career fair this week, and State Street Corporation is coming.</p>

<p>From what I know State Street seems to be quite a big bank (?) as well, though probably not as big as GS for instance. So, are firms like this what you call boutique firms?
How are the pay in these firms? I heard from some ppl in this forum that they are similar to the pay in the bb.</p>

<p>Are you sure State Street is a bank? I thought they were just asset management?</p>

<p>Also, it’s only your second year…sophomores at Wharton would jizz themselves over a boutique internship</p>

<p>You are probably right… I know nothing about the finance sector yet…
So, what should a sophomore at a non-target school realistically do at this point?</p>

<p>Jizz in my pants?:)</p>

<p>Honestly? Your best chance is if you’re connected in any way to the business community in your country. The non target, internationals who get hired to work anywhere by BBs usually fit that description.</p>

<p>State Street is not a bank. They have an asset management arm which might be worth investigating, but most of what the rest of State Street does is just back office stuff and administration. Probably not where you want to start your career.</p>

<p>Hmm…
Thanks for your honest opinions.
Then would even trying to get an internship at a boutique or local investment bank be a meaningless thing to think about?
I’m just talking about international students in general.
I know that even Wharton students would jizz to get such an internship at their sophomore year, but I’m just wondering if at least I could get some experience in the States while I’m in college, if getting a job in major financial centers of the world for foreigners is difficult.</p>

<p>do you have a green card? No? Then, the work permit/visa issue is your biggest barrier. Unless you solve that first, you chance is very limited.</p>

<p>See the thread below: hardwork = nothing. why?</p>

<p>good luck.</p>