I did my schooling with an 87% in class 12 and 92 % in class 10. I am just graduated from University of Delhi, specializing in Investment and Finance.
I have worked at a lot of organizations and did varying internships to turn my profile into a well rounded one during my undergraduate years.
I worked for an year at AIESEC, which is the world's largest youth organization, where I led a team of 15 people, who belonged to 7 different countries. I also interned at a national newspaper, worked in an M & A firm, was on the research team for a Penguin India book regarding the Commonwealth Games and also founded a startup which seeked to connect the University students with corporate and focused on finance and economy deliberations at the University level.
I also got a freelance consulting assignment with an international consulting firm, based in Central Europe for a due diligence assignment. Besides that, I did 3 to 4 more internships at NGOs, etc.
I also founded two college societies that focused on investment banking case studies. I badly wanted to join an M & A firm. The problem is that I dun come from a target school. Though my college is respected for its academics, its not popular with recruiters owing to its conception in 1984 compared with SRCC and the like which have been there from the early 1900s.
I interviewed for an M & A role at a Big 4 firm recently, had a killer interview, but then they wudn take me as the position was based in Mumbai and I am based In Delhi. The starting stipend being 15,000 and 23k after 6 months would not have been possible to afford a life in Mumbai, according to them. I have an offer from KPMG in hand, but its internal audit, and in the backoffice, while I badly want to be in M & A, as I am really passionate towards it!
I am going to give CFA Level 1 in June 2012. Do you think a Masters Programme from Universities like Warwick and Essex can help me land up in an investment banking profile. What are the other programs at popular schools and how much would they actually cost me?
Most importantly, would they give me a job after that like an Indian MBA does, in the Investment Banking domain.
Kindly advice :). Thank you so much!! Looking forward to hear back from you soon!! 😃 :)
You're clear about what you want to do in your career at 20-21, which is a good thing. Your post however also betrays impatience which I'd first advise you to temper; then take an objective approach to how you can get there.
I am a bit surprised to hear that the Big-4 with whom you had a killer interview wouldn't take you because "they" believe you wouldn't be able to afford a life in Mumbai! 15K or 23K is low in Mumbai, but it could've been a good test of your resource management skills ;-). Anyway, let's move on.
Personally, I feel going abroad for a Masters at your age is pointless, as you have very little to offer over & above a local Uk hire. So while it's (remotely) possible to get an IB Analyst role, it's plain unlikely with the current situation in the UK. Read posts 860-880 on this thread please.
In effect, you have 2 options:
1. Join KPMG, build basic skills in financial analysis and control and try making the shift to transaction advisory through strong performance that your bosses simply can't ignore. Try and get into projects that are related to due diligence and internal audit during & post M&A; integrations. Gain strong and on-ground experience & skill in at least one or two areas where your peers can't.
Meanwhile - try and pass at least 2 levels of the CFA in the next 3 years, and send a signal to your bosses that you are serious about a career in the transaction advisory group of KPMG. Once you have the skills and the experience and the competence (would take you 4 years at least), send a polite signal to your bosses. If they don't seem to listen, don't worry - your skills will be in demand and you can move to a different company. Thus build a bank of experience of at least 5-7 years, complete the CFA, then go for a Top MBA.
2. If you're desparate for an IB career now, then no better way that to prepare for and appear in the CAT and try swinging admission into a Top Indian B-School. It's a competitive path in, but once you're in an (example) IIM or JB, and amongst the Top 10% of the class, it's difficult for the IB firms to ignore you.
Both approaches require discipline and hard work.
Think carefully, then choose the path you consider more viable, and where you're likely to enjoy a greater chance of success.
All the best
baccardisprite
