本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Seems Zuluking's thread draws some reader' interest in investment banking. I would like to share my story and background here:
I graduated from a third-tier university in China, worked a few years in China for a state-owned foreign trade company and later was dispatched to work in Hong Kong.
In year 2001 I came to Canada to do my MBA program. Immediately after graduation I got a job in risk management supporting (considered as back office job) in one of the Canadian banks. Over 3 years, I got my CFA charter in 2004 and worked my way through middle office (risk manager in the trading floor) and finally transitioned to the front office as an associate. Now I am a director in debt capital market department of the same bank (director is just a title, I don't have anyone to direct).
For those who are saying new immigrants cannot do ibanking in West, I disagree with you. You might be misled by the fictions or movies that all ibankers are talkative and sale people, but I tell ya it's not true. To serve the institutional clients, you need to deliver "products" to them, or in other words, being able to act as pimps to bring together the money borrowers and lenders. Being able to talk is just one part of the job -- it may be very important, but certainly not the dominating factor. ibank needs people with different skill sets to make the deal happen.
I work around 55 hours a week (not too bad comparing with 100+ hours for guys in wall st.) and I love my job. It's fast pace and challenging with a steep learning curve. The skill set and work experience are highly recognized across the financial world, making myself very mobile if I want to live in another financial centre. The pay is good too (often I am feeling I am grossly overpaid for my contribution to this society).
I agree with David Diao that many times it's just luck or the career path you chose. For those who are interested in this field, personally I think, as an immigrant, you will need the following items before you knock on the door of Canadian iBanking:
* Be driven and persistent
* MBA + CFA
* Good people skill
* Good communication skill in English, both oral and writting
It might not be as tough as you thought...更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
I graduated from a third-tier university in China, worked a few years in China for a state-owned foreign trade company and later was dispatched to work in Hong Kong.
In year 2001 I came to Canada to do my MBA program. Immediately after graduation I got a job in risk management supporting (considered as back office job) in one of the Canadian banks. Over 3 years, I got my CFA charter in 2004 and worked my way through middle office (risk manager in the trading floor) and finally transitioned to the front office as an associate. Now I am a director in debt capital market department of the same bank (director is just a title, I don't have anyone to direct).
For those who are saying new immigrants cannot do ibanking in West, I disagree with you. You might be misled by the fictions or movies that all ibankers are talkative and sale people, but I tell ya it's not true. To serve the institutional clients, you need to deliver "products" to them, or in other words, being able to act as pimps to bring together the money borrowers and lenders. Being able to talk is just one part of the job -- it may be very important, but certainly not the dominating factor. ibank needs people with different skill sets to make the deal happen.
I work around 55 hours a week (not too bad comparing with 100+ hours for guys in wall st.) and I love my job. It's fast pace and challenging with a steep learning curve. The skill set and work experience are highly recognized across the financial world, making myself very mobile if I want to live in another financial centre. The pay is good too (often I am feeling I am grossly overpaid for my contribution to this society).
I agree with David Diao that many times it's just luck or the career path you chose. For those who are interested in this field, personally I think, as an immigrant, you will need the following items before you knock on the door of Canadian iBanking:
* Be driven and persistent
* MBA + CFA
* Good people skill
* Good communication skill in English, both oral and writting
It might not be as tough as you thought...更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net