I’m a Canadian student who wants to break into a BB in the states. What do you think would be more benefitial: A sales position at an american bank (on wall street) or an IB position at a well known Canadian bank?

That was definitely a lot of information in a comment, but I’ll try to tackle it all to help you on your path. First, in terms of relevant, a law degree isn’t a detriment, but it also isn’t a great benefit as it is necessary for lawyers, not bankers, and might, at first glance, send a bit of a confused message to bankers looking at your resume. That said, once you get passed that hurdle, it will be interesting to bankers as it will showcase your ability to draft, review and manage documentation – which will make you quite useful on a deal team.

Next, in terms of additional preparation for banking, I definitely like the idea of taking the CFA, as well as tackling a degree in finance – or at the very least, taking some finance and accounting coursework to allow your technical knowledge to catch up to your legal knowledge.

The big thing that you should be doing is networking – you’ve got a great connection to connections – your father, as well as a healthy alumni network to target. You definitely need to start pounding the pavement and meeting with bankers – get your name out there and showcase yourself as someone who was interested in studying the field on law and finance, but ultimately wish to pursue banking.

Let me know if you have any other questions or need further clarification and good luck.

I was introduced and perked into investment banking by an uncle of mine who is the CEO in a big bank, and since then been extremely interested in the field. Ive been doing some research of my own on the subject and it serves to strengthen the my presumption that this is my calling.

Some background information.

Im currently a Law Student at a Russel Group University in the UK, I am in my final year. I am a 20 year old Malaysian. I only did a law degree because of all relevant interests at the time, such as engineering, and geology, Law was the one I found most stimulating- also, in my point of view, lawyers whether practicing or not, seem to make up the creme of society. I am currently on course for either a 2:1 or a First class degree.

After this, I hope to do the BAR examinations ( Practicing qualification ) so as to give myself options in the future. By then I would be 22. From then on, I would like to break into investment banking. What courses of actions or routes are available to me? Also, what further qualifications should I acquire to nudge me in the right direction? Should I try to get into the treasury dept of a bank?

I am currently considering doing a degree in accountancy or finance to complement my law degree. But definitely in the near future, a CFA. I hear it is quite difficult to break into investment banking, and I want to do this right. If you could point me in the right direction, or rather tell me what I need to do to get there, then it would be most appreciated.

Also, unless Im wrong, a legal degree is an advantage in this situation? how so…from an employers perspective.

Im also proficient in 4 languages: English, Mandarin, French and Malay.

Thank you.

I just found your site and it looks to be a great resource! What was your motivation for starting it?

I’m from a semi-target so this article was very relevant for me. Currently, I’m reaching out to as many alumni as possible in an effort to build a solid network going into fall interviews. My usual routine is to shoot them an email and schedule a call. I usually talk to them about their background and the specific bank they work at, ask them to critique my resume, and try to get a followup contact with someone else in the firm. Is this the gist of what I should be doing? Do you have any other ideas for how I can get my name out there (my main focus is on top BB firms)?