I’m Going to Become an Investment Banker When I Grow Up! University?

nvestment banks are interested in graduates from all disciplines, not just those with finance-related degrees. Standards are high and companies usually ask for at least a 2.1 degree with a strong, consistent, academic performance. They often specify a minimum number of UCAS points.

Entry without a degree or HND is not usually possible.

Selection is competency-based. Candidates are assessed on their ability to demonstrate a range of the skills considered desirable by the sector. These include:

strong numerical and analytical skills;
excellent teamworking and team leadership skills;
communication and interpersonal skills;
project and time management;
dedication, energy and commitment;
self-confidence and ability to make difficult decisions;
the ability to work under pressure.
Employers also look for commercial awareness and knowledge of financial markets. A second language may be useful, but is not essential.

New trainees are normally introduced to the sector via intensive, company induction programmes, which may last four to eight weeks. These programmes are delivered by senior professionals from within the company and industry experts. They are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the sector, covering areas such as accounting, corporate finance, economics, capital markets and financial modelling. Induction programmes may bring together new trainees from across the organisation. The focus is on team building and case-study-based learning. Training is rigorous, challenging and comprehensive.

Once inductions are completed, additional training may be provided through in-house courses and seminars.

The best IBs are people people–without the ability to inspire trust, doing great math might build bridges and solve stunning axioms, but it wont pay anybody’s bills.

The main lesson any MBA teaches is lingo and interaction skills among your peer-set. My best answer to you would be to meet with an IB if you can manage it and see what they like about their job–I can almost guess that the math has very little to do with it unless they’re whats left of the quant jockeys.

As to schools, depends where you are, Carmen Santiago. Do you want to meet oil money? Do you want to hob nob with policy wogs?

Engineering: UMD; CAL-TECH; MIT
MBA: LSE; Thunderbird; hard knocks
Software: Anywhere

Hi John. I don’t know if I’d go all the way to a PhD, but that’s up to you. I suggest New York University for a B.S. in Finance. Then for your MBA try for Wharton School of Business. It is hands down the best in the country. I am alumni of NYU. The college helped me make a lot of positive contacts through summer internships. I used my degree in finance to acquire my CPA and CFA. I didn’t go for my MBA, but might someday. I’m only 27 yrs old and work for a very well known brokerage house. Salaries typically out of college in the NYC area is 75,000 to 120,000. I’m five years into my job and with bonuses gross over 200,000 a yr. Be prepared for very long hours though. I typically work between 60 and 80 hrs a week. I love the job though. If you’re good in math and want to pursue a career in business. I say kudos to you. You’ll probably go very far. Good luck my friend.