Giving Back: Beginning as a Contributing Author

I’ve been asked to begin contributing as an author on this site, and given how many private messages and replies I’ve been receiving to a number of my posts within several threads lately, I was happy to oblige.

Let me state up-front that I unfortunately can’t do a Q&A, simply because there are too many elements of my story that would immediately identify me to anyone who knows me.

With this blog, I hope to share as much critical and factual information as possible. It seems people have responded warmly to me sharing specific datapoints, and in the past, people have also appreciated when I outline how I mentally approach certain qualitative aspects of this industry (recruiting, networking, relationships, group culture, etc.).

Those will be the primary focus of this blog, and to deliver this content, I will repurpose a number of my most popular comments and develop them into standalone posts.

Please feel free to share any thoughts or ideas you have on what I write, either by replying or messaging privately. I already receive a ton of messages; most get prompt responses. Those who flat-out ask me to rank groups or firms are going to be disappointed.

Look forward to releasing content regularly, hope the community finds it helpful.

4 Comments
 

Hi APAE, I really appreciate your contributions to the forum and your elucidations offered to people.

As a recent college graduate who got interested in banking really late (after the recruiting season of my senior year), I am currently trying to obtain as much experience as possible, and then simultaneously studying for grad school (MS Economics or MSF, since I'm a Math/Econ double major I have many options, non target school). There are very few posts about Master recruiting. I know banks barely recruit master students, but are there any programs/schools that you would recommend ? And any specific banks you know that recruit Master students? Thank you very much.

Persistency is Key
 

Ipsum repudiandae dolores in velit. Et at sunt doloribus et. Delectus laboriosam quis aspernatur necessitatibus voluptas unde. Soluta dolorem qui odit fugiat impedit non. Numquam repellendus ullam et quibusdam temporibus eos dolorem.

Ipsa necessitatibus ducimus a quam amet a. Sed omnis officia tenetur libero laborum in. Ipsam delectus cumque exercitationem. Et ea velit iusto architecto ducimus accusantium consequatur. Voluptatibus omnis sint dolores omnis.

Numquam qui aut at dolore. Quia omnis itaque dignissimos ratione facere in rerum itaque. Occaecati dolorem unde velit sunt molestiae. Sed earum et tenetur vel ducimus reprehenderit vitae. Eaque incidunt ullam cum iure.

Ab reprehenderit voluptas dolorum quia in. Officiis iure alias molestias. Ex aspernatur laborum cum optio consequatur officiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”