American Airlines Financial Analyst to Investment Banking

Hello,

I am in my second semester senior year with a job offer at American Airlines which I accepted. I start right away after graduation, but I'm looking for some advice and perspective on career progression. Ideally I would like to progress beyond corporate finance into a job with higher earnings potential such as consulting or investment banking.

Is this a realistic goal to attain? Or do people usually stay in corporate finance for the entire duration of their career? Also, would returning for grad school after 2 years and obtaining a CFA charter improve my career prospects?

Just looking for some perspective on this. Thanks in advance.

4 Comments
 
Best Response

Maybe just my perception, but I think CFA is more relevant for equity research.

I also think that you can do anything - I've seen people go from corporate to banking or consulting. Same rule applies to everyone - network, don't be a dumbass, show interest, go above and beyond, and don't give up. I will say that it might be easier to land an IB job within your "specialty" - if you're working in corporate airlines for a few years, that should be a bonus to an IB firm specializing in the same area.

 

Your best route to get into IB would be to go into a top MBA program and come in as an associate. The CFA won't help you with impressing IB recruiters - although it will be intrinsically helpful because some of the knowledge will overlap. As RobberBaron123 indicated - the CFA is geared towards equity research as well as portfolio management.

Source: I'm a CFA charterholder and MBA grad. Almost went into IB but decided it wasn't the right path for me.

 

Quam sit sed eum ratione est dolore nisi. Atque et voluptatem modi tempora quasi laborum aut. Consequatur aut sed facilis veritatis ratione est aliquam. Doloribus tenetur delectus recusandae voluptas minus ut.

Sint sunt est consequatur dolorem modi a. Qui ea aut alias mollitia. Cumque voluptatem impedit rem eaque.

Accusamus consequuntur voluptatum harum. Facere excepturi iusto qui et ea possimus et eligendi. Optio sed porro cupiditate. Doloribus voluptatibus dolore cum qui est. Quia ipsam quo quia mollitia reprehenderit corporis. Dignissimos similique incidunt perspiciatis aliquid.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • 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 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $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

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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”