Looking for career advice

F

futurefinanceguru

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2026
Messages
0
Reaction score
0
Hi all,

This is another one of those - "How can I get XYZ, highly sought after job?" posts, so please bear with me and help if you can :)

I will start with describing my background:
Masters in EE from a top-5 engineering school (think Georgia Tech, Michigan, Berkeley)
Six years of experience in high-tech
Second year MBA student at a top-20 school
GMAT:770 and GPA:3.8
CFA L2 candidate for June 2008

I am looking to move over to finance from tech (Yes, I know this is a major career shift) preferrably in to PE (1st choice) or IB/IM (second choice).

I am currently interning at a *small* PE shop, but it cannot be translated in to a job (because they don't usually hire MBAs). The work is not great, but I am doing it to get PE on my resume.

My questions are:
1. Given that I am pushing 30, does it make sense to go the IB to PE route?
2. Does joining an IB as an associate, at my age, the right thing to do?
3. Can I get in to a PE firm focused on tech, given my extensive background in tech?
4. How much does "progress towards CFA charter" help?
5. Do IM firms (MFs or HFs) hire people of my profile? Can I get an analyst position at an HF or IM?
6. How about ER positions at sell-side research firms?
7. I am an international and would like to return back to my country's booming PE/IM sectors, in about 4 to 5 years. Is this something I should highlight and would it help me sell myself?
7. Do I have a realistic chance of getting a PE, IM or ER job after my MBA at all?

Please provide any critique/suggestions you might have. Thanks in advance.

FFGuru
 
Me too. These people obviously have no confidence in themselves.

Pal, nobody can answer these questions for you. Just go out and give it a shot.

To be honest based on your questions you don't even sound like your sure you can do it. Grow some balls, roll the f-ing dice and you'll answer all these questions for yourself in no time. If you become a guru good for you, if not, go back to tech...duuh. Jeezuz!!
 
Gouman,

Trust me, I am trying my best to make the transition. But not everybody has a strong network, that he.she could tap in to for advice, especially, when one wants to transition to a completely new field (to them). That's why people like me need to post on forums such as this one and seek advice. In the process, if we get a few brickbats, that's alright. Peace.

FFGuru
 
I feel you. Were all pretty much in the same boat.

Nevertheless, I suspect in most cases people who make the kind of posts you made are just looking for somebody to have confidence in you and validate for you that you can do it to in turn help you build yourpersonal confidence since you likely have little.

Realistically, you could learn a lot more about what kind of people do well in all the various areas your interested in by reading the bios on the sites of the firms that do what you want to do. You'll see people from all ages and backgrounds. That covers what kind of people FS firms look for.

Whether or not it makes sense to do it. Again, that all depends on you. Ask your self this. Does it make sense to persue my dreams even if I'm not sure I'll achieve them?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at Monday, July 23, 2007 at 08:06PM by Gouman.
 
FFGuru:

Let me take a shot at your questions as best as I can. Looks like you have got a pretty strong background especially in the tech sector.

1. Absolutely. If you are bent on PE, then IB (especially Tech Banking) would perhaps be the best route.
2. If you think you can handle the IB workload, age should not be an issue.
3. Absolutely. Clearly you understand technology given your background. You may have to convince PE firms that you can translate your understanding of technology into good investment/business judgement.
4. CFA might not be of much help for a PE career. However, it will be quite helpful for a career in investment management.
5. I am sure IM firms will be open to a person of your talents. However, given that IM is a competitive field to break into, you might have to network a lot. Also, IM firms normally hire at the associate level. In IM, an analyst is above an associate.
6. ER at sellside firms are pretty open to MBAs, especially when combined with CFA.
7. Why do you think this will make you an attractive candidate to IM firms? The only reason I can think of is that the firm might be looking to start business in your home country and is looking to groom someone to lead that business. Else, it should be neutral to a slight negative.
8. Yes, but remember that these are competitive jobs to get.

Just curious. Are you from India? If so, did you do your UG from IIT?

Cheers!
 
harvard MBA, is that instant credibility or not? ;-)

What finance role are you in? IM? Why would you need to get a CFA with a Harvard MBA?
 
harvard MBA, is that instant credibility or not? ;-)

What finance role are you in? IM? Why would you need to get a CFA with a Harvard MBA?
 
FFG, I'm curious. Do you believe in yourself anymore now, do you feel like you have a better shot of becoming a financial guru now that HarvardMBA has validated you? Seriously.

Cheers.
 
HarvardMBA,
Thanks for your reply.
I am from India, but not from IIT. Are you from Bharat too?

Gouman,

Thank you, as well :)

FFGuru
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top