A STUDENT’S QUESTIONS ON INVESTMENT BANKING OPPORTUNITIES
Good day sir,
My name is David and I’m a 200 level computer science student in one the Federal Universities in Nigeria. I have been following your posts for a while knowing it’ll be useful to me someday. I am currently on a 2.1 in school and I intend to take the ACCA exams next year and be through with it before my final year. I also intend to take the CFA exams during my NYSC. Does the above plan sound feasible and what do you think my chances will be in the investment banking area if I graduate with my current CGPA and those two professional certificates? Do you think it will be possible for me to intern at any of the IB firms in my third year? Also if you have any recommendations for me, I’d love to hear them as I know you have first-hand knowledge in the IB sphere.
Thanks and God bless.
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Dear David,
While you no doubt have good plans, I’m afraid it may not be so feasible.
One, you are in 200 level already meaning you have less than 3 years to complete your programme. If you want start ACCA (through a window called CAT – for people that are not graduates) today, it is hardly possible for you to finish in 3 years. And you’re not an Accounting student in which case your school studies will complement your study for the professional exam.
For CFA, that’s frankly not feasible. CFA is in 3 levels and the minimum period you can complete it is 3 years. Your service year is 1 year.
I will advise you face your Computer Science studies now and make sure you graduate with a strong 2.1 minimum. Academic qualifications are more important; professional exams can always wait.
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Immediately you graduate you can enroll for ACCA, and use NYSC year to start that. You can’t complete it during your service year, but with hardwork, you may be able to complete it shortly after. People don’t jump into CFA just like that. Most of the people writing CFA qualification have jobs in Finance or related institutions. After your ACCA, you may start it.
But most importantly for now, ensure you graduate with a good 2.1. 2.1 alone can get you job in one of the Big 4 professional services firms which you can use as stepping stone to IB.
Interning at one of the IB firms? Possible but may be tight. At whaf point are you thinking of interning with them? Seems more feasible even if tight itself. I have seen a couple of guys that got internship opportunities in some of these local and international IB institutions. But it’s usually by informal network. You may want to scan LinkedIn profile of some IB guys and see if you are lucky enough to get someone who will be willing to listen to you.
All the best.
Jarus
Thanks for your time sir, I really appreciate your time and effort. God bless.