Just Know…

This feels relevant.

• Finance isn’t necessarily accounting and accounting isn’t necessarily finance. There’s overlap, but the principles can differ.
• Finance is a lot more than just the stock market.
• Saying that you want to do business isn’t saying anything much at all; doctors, waiters, and farmers all do business as well. In a manner, my friend Arturo’s dog, Chase, conducts business when he performs little spins for his good boy treats.
  • Try to be more creative in your elevator pitch than the generic “I’ve always liked business”, “I’ve always been interested in how money moves”, or “I found my passion for finance when I started my Instagram sneaker resale business.”
• Many times, the nature of the role matters more than the company name during recruiting. For example, a middle market investment banker at Green-Castle-Forest-Oak-Wood-River-Ledge-Meadow-Horizon-Hedge-Garden Capital will likely find it easier to move into PJT’s RX group than an operations analyst from the Goldman Sachs, as they have more relevant experience and may have more connections in the industry.
• Baruch is a good school. However, it doesn’t have a prestigious reputation on the street that will get you any job interview by name only either (unless you’re an MFE student). Expect to work a little bit harder. It is the business school equivalent of Breyer’s ice cream: frequently available, easily obtainable, often on sale, and does the job. It is not Talenti, but you can add your own toppings.
• You don’t have to aim for the most prominent thing. There's considerable societal pressure on students to chase after the most lucrative and prestigious roles, such as investment banking, sales and trading, or options market making, but it’s best to ignore the buzz and focus on finding your genuine interests.
  • Furthermore, breaking into these fields demands substantial effort, and the journey can be riskier due to the extensive time commitment involved. When considering this, pursuing some roles becomes a negative expected value play for a significant portion of the population.
  • There’s always a few students every year who say they want to do IB, and then when prompted to answer what IB is in an interview, cannot answer it. This suggests that they may not have thoroughly contemplated their choices.

Student Behavior Diagram

Aim for green (a little hardo isn’t bad)! Don’t make a recruiting guide website or you’ll push yourself into yellow territory.

Initiative

• Procrastination: Don't wait for classes to teach you; proactively learn the necessary materials and technical skills in advance. By the time your courses cover the relevant material, recruiting will have wrapped up for the most part. Start studying technicals as soon as possible.
• Undervaluing Networking: Networking isn't just about securing application links; it's about personal and professional growth. Build meaningful relationships to enhance your career prospects.
• Doing the Minimum: Don't just submit applications; find ways to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Showcase your unique strengths and experiences.
  • Numbers + Consistency = Success
• Narrow-Mindedness: Don't limit yourself to top roles or firms. Certain students have a mindset of “front office or nothing”, but are not prepared for the commitment that comes with recruiting for those roles. Be open to exploring opportunities in various places, as they can provide valuable experiences and insights.
• Insufficient Application Volume: Be prepared to send out over 100 applications before receiving an offer. Job searching can be competitive, so persistence is key.