UK
How good a career switcher are the top Masters in Finance? On par with MBAs?
Would for example a given LBS MiF compete with an LBS MBA on an equal footing for the Associate programmes? Am due to qual ACA next yr with CFA level 2, would it be realistic to do eg 1 yr MiF then apply for Sales / Trading Associate programmes at BB IB with only audit experience behind me? or would MBA give better chance? would the same apply to Research roles? Any advice greatly appreciated, as i HAVE to get out of audit.
Asked by Benárd Bergé
Posted in Switching Sectors and Trading
30 Aug 2008
Answer this question
If your career ambitions are more in trading or research, then I’d say that you should get an equivalent number of interviews from a top MIF programme as a top MBA programme. Investment banks will tend to think of you as being on the geeky side and probably want to slot you into a more technical job. In addition to trading, with audit experience this could easily mean something on the risk management side, derivative / tax structuring, CDO structuring (or more realistically CDO monitoring / restructuring!). They will be less likely to look at you for more salesy or generalist roles. An MBA is thought of as a broader qualification; with an MBA you’d be expected to have more people skills and general business acumen. For example, sales is essentially a marketing job and with a MIF you won’t have taken classes like that. So try to hone in one what type of job you want and then pick the programme that works for you.
former MD at a major US investment bank 02 Sep 2008
RECOMMEND Recommended 0 times | Alert Moderator