Hello all! Post written in sections for ease of reading. Thanks in advance!
Background- I'm doing my undergraduate studies in the US at an ivy target. Currently I'm working as a summer analyst at a well-known middle-market firm (M&A), and I've had 2 other IB internships (one at a bulge bracket). I've had a pretty intensive experience, and learned a lot, but I would like to go work in London for full-time. I have exceptional test scores, and a decent GPA (it would be upper-second class honours in the UK, or 3.5 in the US). Economics student, with a second major in something slightly more STEM-y.
Rationale - Part of it is because I'm a massive football fan; also, I have always preferred London to NYC in terms of culture. I also think that the 21-22 year old time frame is the best time to try something new in terms of geography, and as an ivy leaguer, I always feel as if the US option will be open after I spend an appropriate (2 years) amount of time with my group in the UK. Also, London is incredibly diverse, and I would enjoy navigating work and interactions with people from across the world.
My question is, how can I go about making this happen? I don't have any contacts in the UK investment banking scene (except some alum that I suppose I could cold-email); I don't even think networking works in the UK, from what I've read on WSO. Can I get in touch with HR and ask for their advice?
Also, one last point...I got a superday interview at a London-based hedge fund for summer recruiting, but turned it down because I want to do i-banking. So this isn't my first go-around with UK recruiting, but that was through my school's job board.
Tl;dr: Ivy league rising senior doing SA at an MM firm, extensive IBD internship background. GPA+test scores where they need to be, looking for advice for London recruiting. Not a European.
