<aside> <img src="/icons/run_gray.svg" alt="/icons/run_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Recruiting is can be challenging for students hailing from smaller, less renowned institutions.

The absence of established networks, intensive on-campus recruitment opportunities, and prestigious reputations target institutions have that tend to attract recruiters for the most coveted positions adds burden. Furthermore, as the process is pushed back earlier each year, it becomes increasingly crucial for students to grasp the level of difficulty they will encounter early on in their academic journey.

It’s alright though – Baruch students are hard workers who can do a lot with very little. There is a long road ahead, but you’re already on the path. Success is never guaranteed, and rarely granted by wishes alone, but I’m optimistic that our hard work will pay off one day.

I believe in you!

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Table of Contents

Catch-Up Material

Walk through these resources to understand markets at a competent enough level to begin recruiting:

• Bloomberg Markets Concepts: E-learning course accessible through Baruch explaining markets with economic indicators and asset classes
• How the Economic Machine Works by Ray Dalio: Founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge funds, walks through forces behind the economy and explains why economic cycles occur by breaking down concepts such as credit, interest rates, leveraging and deleveraging
• Everything You Need to Know About Finance and Investing in Under an Hour by Bill Ackman: Founder of Pershing Square Capital Management (another large hedge fund) walks through basic investment principles and financial accounting
• Anatomy of the 10-K: Wall Street Oasis post that simplifies a publicly traded corporation’s annual financial performance report

If you’re feeling ambitious, flip through the finance education modules linked under External Resources. Damodaran Online will get you to a senior-year finance major level of knowledge (in coursework terms only) upon completion.

Here are some quick primers on the financial careers and cultural nuances to be aware of:

• Inside Look into Careers in Finance: In-depth video analysis by Baruch College’s Professor Kenneth Abbott (Former CRO, Barclays) on careers within the financial services industry: (Part One – General) + (Part Two – Industry Breakdown)
• I want to work at Goldman Sachs: Video of an example of some poor practices for a student pursuing the financial services industry
• So You Want To Be A Consultant: Similar to I want to work at Goldman Sachs; notice the similarities
• Tell me why you want to become a trader: Same pattern as above

If you do not understand these concepts at an elementary level, expect to face difficulty.

Questions to Ask Yourself