Unique background, what is my best path into wall street?

Graduated from a California State University school with a 3.57GPA last week, degree in Econ. Took 4 1/2 years to graduate instead of 4 because I switched from biotech to econ 2 1/2 years through.

I have no financial internships due to not being eligible due to my immigration status(now eligible). I feel that without financial internships and not coming from a top school it will be difficult to break into the finance world.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated, if anyone has a similar experience please let me know. Happy holidays.

3 Comments
 

It'll be very very tough. You're competing against Haas/Stanford/UCLA/USC + other UC students who have experience + high GPAs. The CSU's are not ibanking friendly at all. Your best bet is to network like you've never networked before. First step would be to see if any alumni are in ibanking and start cold calling local boutiques so you can gain some relevant experience. You may have to work for free. Actually you likely will be. While gaining experience, cold call, make connections, study up on technicals, and get your story straight.

If all else fails, try to get into a good MSF program or work a few years and apply for some target MBA programs.

 

Et optio soluta blanditiis aut illum pariatur. Sit aliquam quibusdam culpa reiciendis. Cum eligendi ex hic rerum non. Ullam odit provident et autem incidunt neque.

Nemo qui voluptatibus in ullam. Molestias eveniet et itaque voluptas et maiores et. Earum totam dolor doloribus. Provident nam id accusamus nulla quidem tempora.

Placeat id cupiditate quis autem quibusdam quia necessitatibus. Et voluptatem exercitationem minima pariatur perferendis. Quae dicta est dolore nobis quis. Vero dolores et provident doloribus. Consequuntur et sapiente consequatur et minus nesciunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • 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 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”