this is possibly not the best site to seek this info, but....

I've just finished my MBA and after working in another industry(IT) for a number of years, keen to persue a career specifically in the investment banking side of an investment bank. I'm pretty familiar with the industry, started some qualifications in investing, and re-styled my CV for the role.

I 'm looking to do equity analysis, and progress from there. -- just wondering what the best way was to break into the industry and into that area of the banks.

I've been offered a good "IT" position in a Zurich bank which is ok but not sure it's really what I want to do or the best path in. I've also been offered a position at JP Morgan although is a really low level position and seems more like an administrative position as a business analyst (not sure the title accurately describe the job) in their security services.

I'm willing to work for nothing if it gains me the right experience I need, but not sure either of these will do.... or if I should seek something more appropriate.

Thanks for any assistance.

I work at a private bank in IT. An IT guy here mentioned his desire to become a trader and now he is one... I would take an IT job at a small and successful bank. Once they know you are good and interested, the rest might just happen. That way you will already have a shoe-in.

Be aware that many people want to make the transition between IT and Business, and there exists an Us n Them mentality that makes this difficult in some of the larger investment banks. That said, an IT job is nice,well-paid but can be dull.

dave

are there a couple of smaller investment banks in Zurich -- the way it is portrayed is that the few bigger ones rule the city -- Credit Suisse, UBS...

As far as I know, besides Credit Suisse, UBS and American firms like Morgan Stanley and Goldman, there are a few boutiques like Oppenheim, but I am pretty sure you would need good German skills and bring a Rolodex full of corporate contacts to get an IB job there straight away. Not sure how it would work if you are looking to start in another department and move into IB within a smaller firm.

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interesting comments...I wonder how many IB positions do really exist in CH compared to wealth management

This can be made easier if you get a role working in the front office, where you get more exposure to the "action" and have more opportunity to meet and schmooze the right people to get you where you want to go. But then again, these tend to be the highly sought after jobs in IB IT, and there are less of them than in back office processing. Front office jobs can also be the more interesting ones in banking, but also more stressful, more likely to require long hours and more likely to subject you to the short tempers of highly strung traders. But then again, if you have the right attitude and personality this can actually add to the interest level of the job. It did for me before I realised I prefer being a well paid bum.

what do you mean, a well paid bum?

is demand for vagrants on the up?

Bum or IT contractor. Moves from place to place, doesn't do any work and is generally despised by the rest of society. Same, same but different.