I need some guidance(Job Prospects)

j0ey0ey · 01-01-2010, 01:37 PM

Hello,

First of all, I would like to thank those who have taken the time to read and reflect upon my thread. I truly appreciate it. I am about to dip my toes into the working world and have strongly considered Hong Kong to be an appropriate working environment for me. So if you have any thoughts or comments regarding my situation please feel free to chime in.

I have a HKID and SAR passport so hopefully I won't encounter any immigration issues. I am fluent in English/Cantonese, trying to learn Mandarin. I can read and write(rusty) at a basic level (newspapers and some forms of literature)

I am currently a 3rd year at UC Davis and on pace to graduate by Fall 2010. I am majoring in Managerial Economics with a 3.5 GPA. My highlights include being a teacher's assistant for a computer software class, a financial training internship at Morgan Stanley, radio broadcaster and a student television sports producer.

I am interested in I-banking, corporate finance, accounting, I am not sure if there is a robust marketing sector in HK. What is my general outlook and what steps should I take to prepare for the transition? Should I try to go for a CPA or CFA after I graduate? Oh should I take the GMAT before I graduate?

Any Guidance is appreciated.
-Thank You.

jimbo · 01-01-2010, 01:54 PM

The main thing is you need to work out what you want to do.

I-banking, corporate finance, accounting is too broad and generic thus you need to focus on what exactly you want to do and also think of the bigger picture i.e why HK and where do you see yourself in 5 years time.

And the $64000 question is Why Ibanking?

PDLM · 01-01-2010, 02:03 PM

Indeed - why not get a proper job first? The world of investment banking would be so much more grounded in reality if everyone who worked in it had to have done a real job for 10 years first.

j0ey0ey · 01-01-2010, 02:26 PM

Thanks for the fast replies.

I'm not even sure if I-Banking is right for me. I really don't have a strong sense of a career direction. And I am stressing out about it since I am already 20 years old. Can you recommend a timeline of which I should be progressing in my career. I do not mind starting out low as I have accommodations from relatives.

jimbo · 01-01-2010, 02:39 PM

Is there a career advisor on campus who you can speak to?
If you're not sure that IB is for you then I would strongly suggest you don't do it or at least talk to sombody in the IB arena who has been there for a few years to get an idea on what it's really like.
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Beanieskis · 01-01-2010, 03:08 PM

If I were you I'd apply to the graduate schemes for all the types of roles you've mentioned. It's hard to choose a career and the recruitment process itself will help you answer some of those questions.

joljon · 02-01-2010, 12:12 AM

echo Beanieskis. To add a bit:
1. u should ease up a bit, dont be stressed. there is nothing wrong for u not sure about ur direction. u r still young. i think it's quite common among uni students? (sorry if i am too old)
2. why "i-bank" in particular but not just banking? cuz ur internship experience in MS? or the pay? bonus? as a fresh graduate, dont let salary limit ur choice of option
3. not for ur situation, but in general if possible, do CFA before graduated (at least finish level 2), otherwise do it when u are sure that this is the path that u wanna go, i.e. after working for 1 or 2 yrs and u know this is the field u r going to build up ur career. actually u might consider about MBA at that time.

happy new year

j0ey0ey · 02-01-2010, 05:30 AM

I mean I'm pretty much open to any career route, upon doing some research, Financial Planning seems to be up my alley since I love dealing with people, but it seems like an occupation which would require experience from other fields.

I've been doing some research on the CPA and CFA, it seems like the CPA would benefit me more since I would be certified in comparison to something that is not required in CFA and it opens up a lot more options. I'm not sure if am as set for b-school after all, the opportunity cost of going to the US for a top-20 b-school is largely insane.

Thanks for all the replies so far

Beanieskis · 02-01-2010, 08:42 AM

Is an MBA really something you need to do after only 1 to 2 years experience? I thought they were designed for managers about to move into senior managerial roles? I know they're 2 a penny in HK, but would you get much value from one after onnyl 2 years' work experience?

Frankiee · 02-01-2010, 09:14 AM

Don't rush yourself into the wrong path, you might think 20 is old to be starting to think about your career and all that but that's a real joke, 20 is incredibly young. 5 years from now you'll think you should've taken it easy back then.

Slowly find the right route for you. No rush