How much of an asset is a top secret clearance for veterans in the current job market? I've heard that it can be extremely beneficial in the corporate finance space with defense contractors and defense consulting. I feel like the benefits of the top secret clearance in the civilian labor market have to be greatly exaggerated. I've been told that a recently separating vet with a TS and a business degree are heavily recruited because it is extremely costly and time consuming for corporations to secure clearances for their current employees. Could anyone with any knowledge of this space chime in?
Trending Content - Corporate Finance, Development and Strategy Forum
Career Resources
Career Advancement Opportunities
July 2026 Investment Banking
-
Evercore 01 99.4%
-
Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
-
JPMorgan 01 98.3%
-
Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
-
Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%
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 97.7%
-
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
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 |  |
99.2 |
| 2 | |
99.0 |
| 3 | |
99.0 |
| 4 | |
99.0 |
| 5 | |
98.9 |
| 6 | |
98.9 |
| 7 | |
98.9 |
| 8 |  |
98.9 |
| 9 |  |
98.9 |
| 10 |  |
98.8 |
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship
“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”
I can't comment on corporate finance but in regards to Federal consulting (Defense) you could command a premium and move to the front of the line.
Any chance you ever held SCI or SAP roles?
Im sure there are a number of companies that in part or predominantly support defense/govt projects. Palantir comes to mind. I have a friend as a SW Eng and he had to attain clearance levels to start working there. I'm sure corp fin role would be no different in a company like that. I'd suggest looking into that company in particular and other companies working out of that field.
I have a TS/SCI. If you really want to leverage your clearance and vet status try cyber security/info sec. Or go to clearancejobs and compare your credentials (or future credentials) to what's available. Personally, I have every intention of letting it expire because anything defense related is out of date and mind numbing by comparison...
Aliquid natus magnam voluptate ut. Itaque quia dolor quasi. Voluptatem error accusamus inventore sequi.
Et est laudantium ea qui ducimus facere animi. Sunt ad quae qui veniam minima illum. Voluptatem nihil quo repellat et voluptates.
Ipsam asperiores mollitia mollitia ut sit vero nam. Nam ipsam unde maxime quod harum ea. Et libero odio quia. Autem optio voluptatum non nesciunt nulla nesciunt ducimus. A quas est et eligendi. Dolorum vel autem dolorem illo.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...