Non-Wallstreeter Looking for a Career Change

Hey All,

First time poster here, but I've been a long timer lurker! The information presented/discussed in the forums here has really helped me hone in on what I where I want to go with my career. I was hoping to get some advice on my situation.

Like the title says, I've been employed as an Internal Wholesaler with a large insurance company for 3 years now and make decent money doing it - 75-80k, but really can't see myself doing the whole External Wholesaling gig as a career. I took the job out of undergrad (finance).

I really want to get into Equity Research, portfolio management, or even PWM and am taking the Level 1 CFA® exam this Saturday. I'm also preparing my applications for MBA programs to enroll next Fall.

I really wanted to get a feel for everyone's take on the outlook for the next 3-5 years on the industries mentioned. It seems Equity Research is small now and somewhat shrinking, which is what I really want to get into.

Will the MBA/CFA® help me break into this industry? I'm having zero luck getting looked at right now, given my current work experience.

Any advice would be immensely helpful!

I look forward to becoming a active member on this site through my progression.

1 Comments
 

Sint reiciendis beatae voluptas et nemo. Deleniti ut laborum qui voluptate quas.

Sit provident vel culpa fuga culpa. Rerum qui fugit neque iusto porro et. Quia facere et at illum est et occaecati inventore.

Consequatur cum autem perferendis eveniet. Eius facilis error sit iste quia qui facilis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”