What department of IB you want to work for? If you want to work as a remisier or a HR-exec in an IB, no point to start in Big 4.

it varies all across different IBs for ur info. at OSK, entry is called associate, at ASEAM, it's analyst. It's a very broad designation.

I have no idea what analyst u guys are referring to because usually it would refer to those ppl who writes for research houses, well, at least at my area.

so u if u have any queries, try speaking to someone who is already in the line, try attending conferences, seminars, etc. don't speak as if u really know it. but well, it's up to u to decide whether im pulling ur leg or not.

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Added on January 30, 2011, 1:43 pm

applying via mgmt trainee would be better la, it gives u an all-rounded experience, in addition to all the invaluable trainings u'll get. Getting directly as an analyst would do u no good, as u have no prior experience and that u have nothing (knowledge,experience,mentality) to back u up when u're working in a firm. Just remember that this is WORK, and at IBs, they expect u to know everything before u go in, else figure out ur own solution. In instances where u have totally no idea how to act on a task + nobody is willing to help(it's common at IBs, it's competitive), what would u do if u know NO ONE from similar industry or somewhat closely related industry to help? CRY? No ma right?

Well, of course u'll constantly have meet new acquaintances along the way, but are u forming alliances at the same time? Yes? No? this is all I can say for now. U'll understand as u strive to move along the corporate ladder. Ciaoz and good luck. Just know what u want before u make up ur mind

i think associate is higher rank than analyst

Analyst or associate, it doesn't really matter.
since u freshie, if they give u one of it over another, whichever isit, does it affect ur decision to take it iurely because of the title name. doesn't matter, ur just freshie.

watever explanation u reciv up there/google/any other reading, is good enuf to give u a feel.
but it will only give u 10% of the pic. the best way to know about the jobis to do it.

So lets not worry, still young go in and bang ur head, make the wrong decisions, and learn from it.
just join whichever u feel u like. after experience, think about it further. life is long that 2-3yrs of of work is no big deal. what ever u do will not go to waste.
if u think u wana be  CF/research just go for it directly, provided u can get in lar. no nid to go thru audit, engineering, fmcg, etc.

wat i know is, there are freshies go in as graudate trainee / mgmt trainee, in investment bank like like rhb, kfh, public, alliance, 
that would be the first choice to go in.
if cannot get then only try big4 lor.

if i got into research department of Khazanah, would the working experience there be transferable to working in big IB/ foreign IB?

Don't think so.

Despite very good grade, the subjects and stuff you learn in Year 1 is pretty basic. So it's not like an advantage.