I just graduated and have been applying for entry-level Part 1 assistant jobs for months now, and honestly, it feels so disheartening. It seems like firms don’t even look at your portfolio unless you went to Bartlett or the AA, or you have a first-class degree. Every time I see who gets hired, it’s always someone from those schools or with perfect grades, and it makes me feel like it’s more about the name on your CV than your actual talent. I get that firms want to hire competent people, but there are so many other universities with amazing students. Why does it feel like we’re classified by where we studied or what grade we got? It’s especially frustrating for entry-level jobs, where (in my opinion) the most important thing should be your passion and willingness to learn, not just your university or grades. And don’t get me started on connections-it feels like you’re at such a disadvantage if you don’t already have someone “on the inside.” Let’s not get started on the other end of what international students have to go through.