“The recruiting cycle is moving earlier and earlier. If you think about it from the bank’s perspective, they’re trying to get the best talent available. So if Goldman Sachs is on campus a week before us, we’re going to go a week before them, and then they’re going to go a week before us. If you’re really interested in the industry, you need to do everything you can to prepare as soon as possible. You need to be ready to go as you walk onto campus on Day 1.”

What do MBA applicants need to know about MBA careers in investment banking?

Darren invites his friend Scott to share his experience, both as an MBA student looking to break into investment banking and as an MBA recruiter for Wells Fargo Securities.

Scott has worked in investment banking for 7 years after his MBA – don’t miss his hard-earned insights into the industry!

This is Part 2 of our MBA Career Series. Looking for more career-related podcasts? Click here.

Questions

• Scott’s background (3:40)
• The 2 paths to entering investment banking (6:46)
• What do investment bankers do? (8:50)
• Common roles for recent MBA graduates (10:58)
• What is the recruiting process? (15:02)
• Bulge bracket vs. boutique investment banks (24:39)
• How b-schools help with recruiting (28:40)
• The Wharton alumni network and how to stay connected (30:10)
• What investment banks are looking for in new MBA hires (33:00)
• Interviews and dealing with technical questions (43:20)
• Scott’s recommended resources for interview prep (49:35)
• The role of office locations and ìcore b-schools in recruiting (51:05)
• Investment banking opportunities for international students in the US? (59:20)
• Best part of job? Worst part of job? (1.01:05)
• Scott’s final thoughts on succeeding in investment banking (1.07:25)

About Our Guest

Scott Dragicevich played professional baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays before going to business school. After getting his MBA from Wharton majoring in Finance and Entrepreneurship, Scott joined Wells Fargo Securities in New York City covering transportation and logistics. He currently works as Vice President – Investment Banking and Capital Markets, for Wells Fargo Securities in Los Angeles.

Episode Sponsor

Show Notes

• Wetfeet Career Guides
• Macabacus – Interactive Self Study, Excel Templates, and Interview Preparation
• The Vault Banking 50 – The Best Banking Firms to Work For 
• Investment Banking Careers at Wells Fargo for MBAs
• Wharton MBA
• What Goldman Sachs Seeks in MBA Hires

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