How can I get a finance analyst job out of state?
Hi, I am soon going to be graduating from the University of Toledo with an Honors degree in Finance. My GPA is currently a 3.5. I would like to become a financial analyst, but definitely not in Toledo! How should I go about moving to New York (a primary market) or somewhere on the east coast when they know nothing really of my school? Also, it is obviously difficult to up and move to an area and not being able to find a job. I realize that New York is going to be extremely competitive and full of Ivy league students. I could do my MBA right out of college, but would prefer to get work experience and go to a top school like Dartmouth or Cornell. Am I stuck working at home as an analyst for a few years, getting my MBA, then trying to move? Thanks! P.S. any other tips as far as analysts and IBanking that you have would be helpful.
Other - Business & Finance - 1 Answers
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1 :
I grew up in Bklyn, went to undergrad in NY, got a job in NYC went back to get my MBA (top program) in NY, went through a couple more jobs and then decided to move to Boston - smaller city and more manageable but still fun and very smart. You have a rough road my friend. You need to consider the current market and talent pool that places like NYC have. Market is tough and you'll be competing with others who have either experience or a better education (or more likely probably both) - don't mean to be rough on you, just playing it straight. In my opinion, this should be your plan: Stay in Toledo and get a job with the best company you can (most well known). Think banking. Hopefully getting a financial analyst position. Stay for about 3-5 yrs progressing into senior analyst or something. All the while keeping your eye on the prize. Stay sharp, read the Wall Street Journal and study for the GMAT. You have time so nothing too intense but use the time for practice tests and to really absorb the concepts and information. If you do well on the GMAT and have 3 yrs of experience, with a 3.5 GPA, you should be an OK candidate for some good schools. You can google top MBA programs and see the average GMAT scores - can you match them? Or get higher? You may need a higher GMAT to balance you with other candidates that have stronger credentials in other areas. Which schools to apply to? THe one's in NYC or the ones from NYC that recruit at the schools (you can find out what companies recruit there if you contact the program and ask, or on their websites). I don't have a high opinion of Cornell, they are OK but are far from NYC (they are in Ithaca NY). Think NYU, Wharton (In PA but NY companies recruit there alot), Columbia, etc. Check the top 10 or 20 MBA programs because that is where the companies recruit from most. Boston of course has some top programs too (Harvard, MIT, etc.) Alternatively, after 3 years or so, you will have experience and can apply to some places in NYC. Hopefully, the market will be better after 3 years and your experience will help your candidacy. You'll have to take a step back though because NY has a higher cost of living and meeting your expenses will be rough so staying in Toledo will be attractive. Most important thing for you now I think is to get some experience at a well known company and make sure to do your best on the GMAT's. THat will help you get into a better MBA program than you could now. Best of luck.
Hi, I am soon going to be graduating from the University of Toledo with an Honors degree in Finance. My GPA is currently a 3.5. I would like to become a financial analyst, but definitely not in Toledo! How should I go about moving to New York (a primary market) or somewhere on the east coast when they know nothing really of my school? Also, it is obviously difficult to up and move to an area and not being able to find a job. I realize that New York is going to be extremely competitive and full of Ivy league students. I could do my MBA right out of college, but would prefer to get work experience and go to a top school like Dartmouth or Cornell. Am I stuck working at home as an analyst for a few years, getting my MBA, then trying to move? Thanks! P.S. any other tips as far as analysts and IBanking that you have would be helpful.
Other - Business & Finance - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I grew up in Bklyn, went to undergrad in NY, got a job in NYC went back to get my MBA (top program) in NY, went through a couple more jobs and then decided to move to Boston - smaller city and more manageable but still fun and very smart. You have a rough road my friend. You need to consider the current market and talent pool that places like NYC have. Market is tough and you'll be competing with others who have either experience or a better education (or more likely probably both) - don't mean to be rough on you, just playing it straight. In my opinion, this should be your plan: Stay in Toledo and get a job with the best company you can (most well known). Think banking. Hopefully getting a financial analyst position. Stay for about 3-5 yrs progressing into senior analyst or something. All the while keeping your eye on the prize. Stay sharp, read the Wall Street Journal and study for the GMAT. You have time so nothing too intense but use the time for practice tests and to really absorb the concepts and information. If you do well on the GMAT and have 3 yrs of experience, with a 3.5 GPA, you should be an OK candidate for some good schools. You can google top MBA programs and see the average GMAT scores - can you match them? Or get higher? You may need a higher GMAT to balance you with other candidates that have stronger credentials in other areas. Which schools to apply to? THe one's in NYC or the ones from NYC that recruit at the schools (you can find out what companies recruit there if you contact the program and ask, or on their websites). I don't have a high opinion of Cornell, they are OK but are far from NYC (they are in Ithaca NY). Think NYU, Wharton (In PA but NY companies recruit there alot), Columbia, etc. Check the top 10 or 20 MBA programs because that is where the companies recruit from most. Boston of course has some top programs too (Harvard, MIT, etc.) Alternatively, after 3 years or so, you will have experience and can apply to some places in NYC. Hopefully, the market will be better after 3 years and your experience will help your candidacy. You'll have to take a step back though because NY has a higher cost of living and meeting your expenses will be rough so staying in Toledo will be attractive. Most important thing for you now I think is to get some experience at a well known company and make sure to do your best on the GMAT's. THat will help you get into a better MBA program than you could now. Best of luck.
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