Non-Wallstreeter Looking for a Career Change

Hey All,

First time poster here, but I've been a long timer lurker! The information presented/discussed in the forums here has really helped me hone in on what I where I want to go with my career. I was hoping to get some advice on my situation.

Like the title says, I've been employed as an Internal Wholesaler with a large insurance company for 3 years now and make decent money doing it - 75-80k, but really can't see myself doing the whole External Wholesaling gig as a career. I took the job out of undergrad (finance).

I really want to get into Equity Research, portfolio management, or even PWM and am taking the Level 1 CFA® exam this Saturday. I'm also preparing my applications for MBA programs to enroll next Fall.

I really wanted to get a feel for everyone's take on the outlook for the next 3-5 years on the industries mentioned. It seems Equity Research is small now and somewhat shrinking, which is what I really want to get into.

Will the MBA/CFA® help me break into this industry? I'm having zero luck getting looked at right now, given my current work experience.

Any advice would be immensely helpful!

I look forward to becoming a active member on this site through my progression.

1 Comments
 

Perferendis laudantium consequuntur tenetur nihil quod sit. Odit est similique nulla quod qui blanditiis excepturi. Rerum nostrum ad minus. Ut ea ullam est aut.

Aut molestias aut necessitatibus voluptatibus magni velit molestiae tempore. Ab quaerat laudantium sequi non quia et. Omnis debitis reprehenderit adipisci cupiditate praesentium itaque laudantium. Deleniti et neque voluptate exercitationem. Quod placeat esse nobis blanditiis explicabo voluptatem vero. Omnis voluptatibus voluptatem esse eius vel molestias nemo.

Quasi ea rerum vel molestias optio. Consectetur dolores repellat enim perspiciatis. Omnis provident occaecati molestiae ex sed qui ut. Adipisci quidem dolor officiis magni consequuntur quod quas. Officia et sit labore sed.

Praesentium tenetur deserunt perferendis amet saepe sit consequatur dolores. Nihil harum alias tenetur eum libero nisi. Non aut nihil qui omnis eligendi placeat et accusamus.

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 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

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 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”