<p>Hi, </p>
<p>If you are interested in IB and you live in NYC, what is the best way to network with employees at these investment banks? Besides, recruiting at college campuses, are there any other options or ways to meet employees currently working in the field? Can people request to meet someone in HR to answer questions about IB?</p>
<p>Thank you for all the help.</p>
<p>Kind Regards</p>
<p>Spend the summer in Southampton!</p>
<p>Pick a banker and write him/her a letter. Praise him/her on their ability and how many deals they have done. Express how much you would like to be like them and request an informational interview. Ask the rest of your questions at that point. They may or may not introduce you to other bankers. If not pick another banker and repeat. If they do, you’re in.</p>
<p>Successful bankers don’t really just hang out. You can find them anywhere there’s money to be made. If you’re not in the money then most likely they’re not interested in networking with you.</p>
<p>Don’t go to the Hamptons uninvited. It won’t go over well. The only other way is at networking events for bankers, VC’s, and entreprenures. Again they’re not interested in you. They’re there to make money. </p>
<p>I’m telling you a nice letter asking for and interview for information is best. If you stroke their ego’s they’ll let you in. You might gain a mentor and a friend.</p>
<p>Also try attorneys. They’re known for brokering relationships. Start with your family attorney and work you way out. Someone knows someone. Then go to CPA’s they broker relationships too. </p>
<p>If you know business owners whose companies just went public, or merged, purchased, or acquired another company; they may be willing to introduce you to their banker. In fact they may be the softest targets of all. Entrepreneurs are typically more altruistic than bankers and like helping people and showing people how they made it.</p>
<p>For example I’m an entrepreneur, I own a Registered Investment Adviser, and am a VC consultant. I love helping people. My networking events involve open invitations to trade fairs sponsored by my company, the ambassador of the target country, and international development banks (Usually a U.S. bank, a regional bank, and a private bank like Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank).</p>
<p>If you showed up to one of my events, I wouldn’t object. If your were to identify me I would definitely bring you to the bankers. (Assuming my initial assessment of you turned out good) - I have no upcoming events to speak of, and I’m not a New York firm.</p>
<p>Spend the summer in Southampton!</p>
<p>^^ @JA12 – lol – and in the same vein - hang out in front of private schools, meet bankers’ wives</p>
<p>tort-- if the OP 's family knows people whose companies just went public etc that would indicate she lives in the world surrounded by bankers, etc. The other part of advice of going to trade fairs etc - not likely by a college student - esp after 911 all sorts of semi public events like that in major buildings are very much screened and you need to be registered to enter.</p>
<p>You could go to the bars. Every bank has a certain nearby bar where their employees tend to go to after work. It’s easy to discern between regular customers and the bankers, just look for the suits.</p>
<p>^ Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Don’t get drunk though. After you identify them don’t talk about business. While business is conducted in most social settings happy hour is really for relaxing and getting a buzz on before they go back to work.</p>
<p>@mhmm - you’re right. I just signed a contract as a VC originator and I’ve been planning shows and fairs and as I think about it, you are correct. I’m depending on some consulate contacts to cosponsor events and because of the officials present (Ambassadors and other statesmen), those events are by invitation only and there is a liquid worth requirement on top of that.</p>
<p>@OP - The next best route is to attend some alumni events at your school. I get invitations for networking from both the university level alumni association and from the b-school association. I plan to attend those events from now on just to pass my business card. Since I don’t expect a high level of productivity at those event I would definitely have time to talk to undergraduates. I suspect that other alumni present would do the same. Remember it’s networking so you may not meet bankers but you’ll meet people who know bankers or banker peers like me. That’s a foot in if you can get recommendations from friends of bankers.</p>
<p>I would recommend looking to alumni and even LinkedIn as potential resources ad means of meeting bankers. Living in NYC you’ve definitely got the location and convenience advantage. Once you make a few contacts, it becomes easier to meet others, essentially through your current contacts. I’d look to your current network of friends and alumni and then go 1 level further to their friends and acquaintances. </p>
<p>IBanker</p>
<p>Spend the Summer in Southampton!</p>