As an asian woman I won't be able to make it out in Investment banking?

I am attending a top B-school. There are some white males in the class room give me really hard time. They push me around and don't take me seriously. Some people advise not to consider a career in i-banking as lots more these kind of white males in the banking industry. One of my good friends is a white male, he even tells me that the fact I am an asian woman is going to hurt my career advancement especially in I-banking. Should I take their advice?

I'm a woman who has worked at a large financial services firm for 10.5 years. I'm a team captain at a university for recruiting. We look for the best candidates overall, but where possible are careful to try to balance candidates for jobs across men and women. This includes our investment banking recruiting as well as sales, trading, finance, and operations. So in the interview process, as a woman you'll have every chance to display your skills to get hired on equal footing to men.

Just a word of caution -- i-banking is extremely competitive to get into, and some of that competition remains inside the firm after you're hired. This is true even at firms which say teamwork is paramount. I have no doubt that you can get hired as a woman, but you should think about whether that's an environment in which you would succeed if you don't share the mentality. I-bankers work long and difficult days, and if you're going to get down from some competitive jostling from your colleagues, then you might want to consider other areas of banking where you may be happier.

People forget that there are lots of areas of finance aside from IB. At large firms, you could work in sales, trading, asset mgmt, private wealth mgmt, research, finance, retail, and operations. Or you could join a hedge fund who's culture you like -- just choose wisely -- I'd suggest one with good risk management tools!

Good luck!

No! He is probably right but if you bow out, you are just promoting the sterotype and making it easier for others to adopt these same beliefs. Women (especially minorities) have made great strides in the workplace over the past 30 years but we still have a lot of work to do. It's up to you to step up to the plate and prove that you are worthy of your job, title and future promotions. You go girl!

You won't make it if you spend too much time worry about white-males. Just do what you gotta do.

Asian woman are as successful as anybody else. Woman especially great in managing finances, family and business. Just ignore what they advice and go ahead with your I-Banking.

You are going to change their opinion soon.

Yes you have to take the advises, It is not just happen in I-Banking, but almost in any field...there are UNSPOKEN rules/ laws which still existed until today.

Regardless it is right or wrong, that advise (your friend's advise, I think he is right) need to be considered which could make you more stronger in the high future workplace competition. You can chose whatever career you want to, but you have to consider it in all aspects. by the time you pass that kind of barriers that you would come to the top.Trust me

I'll be honest and say that yes, there definitely is a bias towards white males in the financial industry, but this will never change until minorities such as yourself prove that you are just as good as anyone else. I can't tell you what to do since I don't know your personality, but if you are a fighter, then stick with it and show them who's boss.

NO
that use to be that way in my profession Medicine
the good ole boys club
that one person feels threatened by you
so study hard don' t even listened to that negativity
do your own thing
and you will be a success
look at Vera Wang, her business is all gay men
and she did it
don't ever let anyone think you can't do something because of the color of your skin or your gender or any of those things
this is the year 2008 you can doing anything you want to
be positive stay away from negativity
and stay focused and study study
and you go girl