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Looking for some advice for my sister. She is currently picking Universities for next year. IB is where she wants to end up eventually. She is looking at Economics degrees especially at Glasgow.
The question she has is - Will she be at a major disadvantage not going to a "target" Uni ?
The question she has is - Will she be at a major disadvantage not going to a "target" Uni ?
Yes, I reckon. Unfortunately she'll be competing with graduates from the best universities around World. Then again getting a 1st from a lesser university might work out better than getting a Desmond or Douglas from Oxbridge/L.S.E./Imperial/UCL .. and it might give you a chance to get onto an Internship programme before getting on an IB graduate scheme.
Edited by fido on Wednesday 11th December 18:29
Lazygraduate said:
In my experience, it certainly helps to have a target university on your CV, throughout the process - internships, 'spring weeks' etc - but by no means a set prerequisite.
It also depends on whereabouts she wants to work - front office, back office, somewhere in between?
Yeah well she's done her research but she is just really unsure if the whole target Uni thing is just a myth. Its front office she is focused on. Unachievable? It also depends on whereabouts she wants to work - front office, back office, somewhere in between?
Not impossible, but harder.
If she applies for placements/jobs via any normal process, her application will need to be:
1) Interesting (who wants to work with dull people?);
2) Relevant (the bank needs to make money...);
3) Precise (a single typo can get it binned).
Better route is to network in. If there are alumni of her University she should make the effort to try to get to know them: certainly for MBA hires, most will make time for a coffee. I would be stunned if an undergrad prepared to put in the effort of (politely) contacting alumni for advice got repeatedly stonewalled.
Go to the career fairs as well informed and, if she makes a good impression (and has the foresight to take a good CV), it might end up in the "worth a look" pile.
Helps too if she can work out what type of Front Office role she might like. There is a lot more diversity than being "in M&A" or "a trader".
Glasgow is a long way from London. Might make the networking difficult.
If she applies for placements/jobs via any normal process, her application will need to be:
1) Interesting (who wants to work with dull people?);
2) Relevant (the bank needs to make money...);
3) Precise (a single typo can get it binned).
Better route is to network in. If there are alumni of her University she should make the effort to try to get to know them: certainly for MBA hires, most will make time for a coffee. I would be stunned if an undergrad prepared to put in the effort of (politely) contacting alumni for advice got repeatedly stonewalled.
Go to the career fairs as well informed and, if she makes a good impression (and has the foresight to take a good CV), it might end up in the "worth a look" pile.
Helps too if she can work out what type of Front Office role she might like. There is a lot more diversity than being "in M&A" or "a trader".
Glasgow is a long way from London. Might make the networking difficult.
if she wants to be a trader, she can always try and take the sneaky route in there and work as trade support, this is a route that not many people take as they EXPECT to go in as a trader straight away and look down on it.
I know several people that have done that, then worked all the hours god sends learning the systems and the business back to front... they get an oppotunity as they are good at what they do and hey presto a junior trading job appears after 2 years of support.
Doesnt always work but is a lot easier then trying to break in when not being the in crowd with the in degree from the right uni.
I know several people that have done that, then worked all the hours god sends learning the systems and the business back to front... they get an oppotunity as they are good at what they do and hey presto a junior trading job appears after 2 years of support.
Doesnt always work but is a lot easier then trying to break in when not being the in crowd with the in degree from the right uni.
okgo said:
Hundreds of thousands manage it every year despite being from all over the country and indeed the world. If you want something that so many others want I cannot see why you'd put yourself at an immediate disadvantage by going to the wrong uni.
Its not me, its my sister as has been said.She has a young baby so moving hundreds of miles away for uni at this point isn't manageable.
Is it just me or is this full "target uni" a farce?
der1 said:
okgo said:
Hundreds of thousands manage it every year despite being from all over the country and indeed the world. If you want something that so many others want I cannot see why you'd put yourself at an immediate disadvantage by going to the wrong uni.
Its not me, its my sister as has been said.She has a young baby so moving hundreds of miles away for uni at this point isn't manageable.
Is it just me or is this full "target uni" a farce?
If some companies only like people only want harvard graduates… Then if you want to work there go to Harvard.
Its basically shooting yourself in the foot if you know IBs like people from certain universities, you decide not to go to one and then later complain you don't get a look in when the IBs are getting hundreds of CVs from people from the preferential universities and can pick an choose.
der1 said:
She has a young baby
I don't say this to be negative, but is she sure she can balance the demands of the job and the demands of a small child (assuming she wants to see said small child)?The reality is the hours don't fit well with a normal family life. Especially in the early years.
ETA: some people are good with this, but it's worth going in with eyes open.
LooneyTunes said:
I don't say this to be negative, but is she sure she can balance the demands of the job and the demands of a small child (assuming she wants to see said small child)?
The reality is the hours don't fit well with a normal family life. Especially in the early years.
ETA: some people are good with this, but it's worth going in with eyes open.
Well that is something that's been discussed with her over and over. We have quite a lot of family in London so she would be well supported. I think the worry factor comes in with leaving full time work to go to Uni hundreds of miles away. its going to be quite a shocker for her. If she stayed put where she is she could have part time hours and manage her studies. chicken and egg eh.The reality is the hours don't fit well with a normal family life. Especially in the early years.
ETA: some people are good with this, but it's worth going in with eyes open.
There are degrees of "well supported" and a world of difference between "well supported" in the normal world (picking kids up from school, maybe giving them dinner) and what an analyst would need.
Goodwill could well run out quickly when those pitching in realise that the unexpected need to stay late (the banking definition of which will be alien to them) certainly isn't a one off...
She really needs to do her research carefully (some roles have more predictability than others) but she will be expected to put in the hours and pull her weight if she's going to be there long term (and/or get paid properly).
Goodwill could well run out quickly when those pitching in realise that the unexpected need to stay late (the banking definition of which will be alien to them) certainly isn't a one off...
She really needs to do her research carefully (some roles have more predictability than others) but she will be expected to put in the hours and pull her weight if she's going to be there long term (and/or get paid properly).
LooneyTunes said:
There are degrees of "well supported" and a world of difference between "well supported" in the normal world (picking kids up from school, maybe giving them dinner) and what an analyst would need.
Goodwill could well run out quickly when those pitching in realise that the unexpected need to stay late (the banking definition of which will be alien to them) certainly isn't a one off...
She really needs to do her research carefully (some roles have more predictability than others) but she will be expected to put in the hours and pull her weight if she's going to be there long term (and/or get paid properly).
This. Would effectively be putting the child up for adoption for "x" years of career build. What is the driver for the career choice? Role content? Money? Career? Glamour?!? Does she have much understanding/experience of the world being discussed? Might be a case of careful what you wish for? Though to be fair, odds are stacked against a Glasgow graduate mother. But on the positive side; never say never...Goodwill could well run out quickly when those pitching in realise that the unexpected need to stay late (the banking definition of which will be alien to them) certainly isn't a one off...
She really needs to do her research carefully (some roles have more predictability than others) but she will be expected to put in the hours and pull her weight if she's going to be there long term (and/or get paid properly).
der1 said:
Its what she has always wanted to do.
The support is there for her in abundance I'm sure of that.
she's well aware of the hours etc!
On the subject of target Uni's Durham is one (I find strange) which isn't a million miles away.
Look to be honest its not support… Its basically raising her kid for her.The support is there for her in abundance I'm sure of that.
she's well aware of the hours etc!
On the subject of target Uni's Durham is one (I find strange) which isn't a million miles away.
If the network of people would be happy doing that instead of her raising the kid then fine, but I doubt that very much.
working for an IB is not even close to a 9-5 job, its more 7am - 8pm then doing more research at home and living to work.
Hope she has a very understanding OH that would be there and do the job of mother until the IB career settles down to more normal hours.
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