Clyde Said:

I want to make a career in investment banking and finance. What qualification or degree should I go for?

We Answered:

Hi! I am into investment banking as well. I graduated with a BBA in finance and passed CFA Level 1 this past Dec. So get started on your CFA it will help A LOT! Also if you still in college then get involved in business related associations. I made a huge mistake of not getting involved and not keeping my grades up. My portfolio magmt teacher ran this portfolio for the university...it was looked over by her students. I never even thought of going into but now I think it would have been a GREAT help.

You cannot get into this industry without some experience. There are lots of great "New Analyst" programs for recent grads or soon-to-be-grad students. Go to Goldman Sachs, ING, UBS, RBS, and other big investment banks. They have really good programs that go on for 2 to 3 years are filled with real experience. and YES these programs are open even in these difficult times.

If you are just starting college then don't miss out on this. I regret it a lot. Now I am neither a newly grad nor an experienced prof and without experience it is very difficult to get a job in investment banking.

Hope this helps. Also join LinkedIn

Tyler Said:

Would you recommend a career in investment banking, commercial banking, or accountacy?

We Answered:

I suggest you become an investment banker. Commercial bankers and accountants seem to be more of the kind who do what they are told to do but investment bankers seem to be the ones who are allowed to be the most creative with what they want to accomplish.

When you get to the level of where you want to go, the connections you make with others are much more important than what you actually learn in school. U of IL is an excellent school but if you are planning to have a really high-powered career in the financial industry, there are many more influential people from places like The Wharton School at U. Penn (e.g., Donald Trump) and Harvard. If I could go back in time and redo my own education, I'd pay more attention to who graduated from my possible school choices rather than what courses they offer. When you get into the financial industry, it really is WHO you know, not WHAT you know. Good luck!

Tanya Said:

What college is best for a career in Investment Banking?

We Answered:

the best ones are the ones which has your favourite investment banks come in on the campus to interview soon to be graduates.

These are the so-called 'target schools'.

I graduated from Baruch, a very good school in New York, albeit not a the same level of prestige as Columbia or NYU, but last year was made a 'target' school by JPMorgan.

So ask your potential schools, which investment banks come recruiting on campus.