Open letter to pros: if you've ever told some fresh-faced college kid that his/her resume is impressive & meant it, thank you.

Not unlike a lot of us on WSO, I am an ambitious college kid. I care about my future. I care about how I look. Deep down, I'm even blessed with a little bit of confidence.

I may have a high GPA, some neat extracurricular activities, and even some honest-to-God leadership experience on that neatly-organized PDF, but I know in spite of my good-to-great grades I've received in my finance, accounting, and other classes at a relatively good university, when it comes to the real world of finance, I really don't know shit. I'm inexperienced. I know you probably know that too.

Consequently, I tend to be slightly insecure about my CV. This phenomena is seemingly never talked about, but I imagine this niche brand of anxiety is relatively common, given how ever-increasingly competitive things are out there.

If you're an MD, VP, or even associate at any legitimate financial institution--big or small, so-called-prestigious or humble, BSD or "just learning the ropes"--it makes this 21-year-old's day when you tell me with sincerity that my one page of qualifications looks good.

Seriously. It makes my day. Thank you. Amidst a myriad of rejections, it makes me want to press on, and that is something I cannot appreciate enough.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

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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...”