(Non-target) What work experience to get into BB firms?

Jiggy
Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:15:28 +0000

Hello, I’ve been perusing these boards for a long time, but only recently had a issue to post here. I’m a finance grad from Tulane, non-target I know. 3.6 Major GPA, 3.3 Overall, also graduated with a specialization in Oil/Gas Accounting and Trading. Not shabby credentials IMO, but not bad either. Perhaps not BB quality now, but that’s exactly why I’m writing today.

In terms of work experience, did an Internship with a US Congressman, intern for Merril, and during my senior year, did a 6mo equity analysis program through Tulane’s student run fund on a small cap E&P Company.

Any advice on what jobs to pursue to slowly build my way up into IB? The landscape is pretty rough, so I’m currently mulling an offer as a analyst from a top tier commerical lending company, to help analyze their massive portfolio of student loans (hint hint). Is this going to help me from an IB perspective? I’m thinking about targeting a reputable boutique before too long, so is my experience going to be relevant and beneficial to my application?

I sit on the fence on this issue. On one hand, I can’t help but feel that any experience in this market is a boon and its also a modeling heavy position, but its more on the retail side of banking, and there may not be much crossover into an analyst position at an IB. Not to mention its consumer lending and not commercial.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.