Transitioning Military Officer Exploring Investment & Corporate Banking Careers
Hi everyone,
I'm Pablo, a U.S. Coast Guard officer planning to transition to finance in 2025, specifically exploring investment banking and corporate banking roles. Over my decade of military service, I've gained leadership experience managing multi-million dollar budgets, conducting risk assessments, and spearheading strategic projects.
Currently, I'm pursuing my MBA to deepen my business acumen. I'm drawn to IB and CB because of the opportunities to work on high-impact deals, analyze complex businesses, and drive strategic decisions.
As I navigate this transition, I'm eager to learn from the WSO community. If you have experience in IB, CB, or transitioning from the military to finance, I'd be grateful for any insights or advice you're willing to share. I'd also appreciate any recommendations on developing skills or resources to dive into.
If anyone is open to a brief informational interview about your career path and transition, I'd welcome the chance to learn from you.
Thank you for welcoming me to this supportive community. I'm excited to learn alongside you all.
Best,
Pablo
Hello Pablo,
Based on the insights from Wall Street Oasis, transitioning from a military background to investment banking (IB) or corporate banking (CB) is a commendable path, and many veterans have successfully made this transition. Here are some tailored suggestions and resources to help you navigate this journey:
Leverage Your Leadership and Risk Management Skills: Your experience in managing budgets and conducting risk assessments is highly valuable. Emphasize these skills in your resume and interviews, as they are crucial in IB and CB for analyzing financial stability and managing client portfolios.
Networking: This is key in the finance industry. Continue to expand your network by connecting with fellow veterans who have transitioned into finance. Platforms like LinkedIn and veteran-specific programs at major banks can be instrumental. For instance, JPMorgan Chase’s Military Veteran Internship Program (MVIP) and Goldman Sachs Veterans Integration Program (VIP) are designed to help veterans transition into finance.
Educational Resources: Since you are already pursuing an MBA, complement it with specialized finance certifications like the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), especially if you are leaning towards asset management within IB or CB. Also, consider online courses in financial modeling and valuation to sharpen your technical skills.
Attend Industry Webinars and Veteran Workshops: Many bulge bracket firms offer webinars that can provide insights into the industry and help you understand the current market trends and expectations.
Informational Interviews: You’re on the right track seeking informational interviews. These can provide insider insights and also strengthen your network. When reaching out, be specific about your background and interests, and how they align with the person’s expertise.
Prepare for Interviews: Focus on translating your military experience into relevant financial skills. Practice common finance interview questions and be prepared to discuss how your military skills make you a unique asset.
Remember, your military background, especially your leadership experience and ability to thrive under pressure, is highly valued in the finance sector. Many have noted that the discipline and strategic thinking developed in the military are directly applicable to roles in finance.
Best of luck, Pablo! You’re taking all the right steps towards a successful transition into investment and corporate banking.
Sources: Transitioning Veteran Advice Please, Military Vets with MBAs Recruited Heavily, Q&A: CFA Charterholder, left finance to join the Army, now going into IB, Marine Officer/Aviator Ask Me Anything, Interesting (Post-MBA) Exits from Banking
Just wondering- are you attending a Top 15 MBA program? A lot of officers in transition to civilian life think any MBA is ok, but that may not be the case.
Thanks for the question!
No I'm not pursuing my MBA from a top-15 school. Pursuing my MBA through William & Mary. I understand that I face an uphill battle getting into some of these roles so I've been leveraging my network and looking into some of the veterans associate programs some of the banks offer.
I'm also expanding my search beyond the bulge brackets to increase my chances of landing a role.
Is this a part time MBA program? How are you paying for it?
Yes, the program is part-time. I'm using a mix of scholarships and GI bill. I have a toddler at home so getting the MBA while working full-time is the best option for me and my family.
Is it really the best option? Part time MBA programs usually have bad placement rates. You really want to go to a top 15 MBA program Full Time to get into the recruiting pipeline of the top banks.
Congrats on the wife and child. You’re blessed.
reach out to ex-military IB people on LinkedIn and try to set up a call with them
also understand IB encompasses a lot of different roles: M&A, leveraged finance, debt capital markets, equity capital markets, etc.
Check out the websites below and explore
https://mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking/
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career/investment-banki…
also does military count as diversity? I have no idea, but I'm sure there's some benefits/programs out there for military folks
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