IB as an Intermediary Step

Hello!

I've been told that getting into IB is the best thing to do because of the exit ops. I'm currently a freshman and I want to get into hedge funds but I know it's super hard. The current path that I want to take is to go into IB for two years out of undergrad, then get an MBA. Should I be looking at a PhD instead? What should I be doing as an undergrad to set myself up in an optimal way?

Thanks!

195 WSO Academy Hedge Fund Session Reviews: 4.78/5

Class of '29 Sep 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Hedge Fund LinkedIn Review

“My meeting with Kevin Lee was super helpful and went well beyond what I originally expected. We met to discuss my LinkedIn profile, but the conversation also covered the hedge fund space and how I’m thinking about my career as a whole. I really appreciated being able to talk about both how I present myself professionally and the broader direction I want to take. As someone interested in hedge funds but also exploring other paths in finance, it was helpful to have a conversation that connected my profile to my actual interests and goals. Kevin gave me a lot to think about, and I left feeling clearer about my next steps. Overall, I really appreciated his time and willingness to go beyond the original purpose of our meeting.”

Class of '26 Sep 2026 Cohort

4.56/5

Hedge Fund Mock Interview

“He was very responsive and prepared for the meeting. He actually read the JD, resume, and looked up linkedin which sometimes other mentors doesn't actually go over those to prepare things beforehand. I appreciate his direct comments I think it saved time and actually helped me to know exactly where to improve. I also appreciated him admitting if he doesn't know about specific HF strategy. Only thing I'd suggest for him is probably sending actionable key takeaways after the meeting because other mentors did and that was very helpful. ”

See All 11,031 WSO Academy Reviews

4 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

O

7y

Hey Who is John Galt, I'm here to break the silence...any of these links help you?:

I-Banking Interview Last Minute Advice for an associate in the investment banking division at one of the bulge bracket firms. (This is my ... finance experience besides some financial modeling in class projects). And I just got an interview call ... as well to help me out in this. Thanks for your time. engineering banking interview advice 1st year ...
What are my chances of landing a full-time position as an i-banking analyst or quant trader or trader with only 1 internship?? have a solid background in probability theory. I am hoping to make a jump into an investment bank in ... internship? Thanks so much! trading Investment Banking Goldman Sachs ... major in either applied math or statistics. I have a GPA that is above 3.9. My only finance experience ...
How Do I Prepare for my First Day as an I-Banking Analyst? I received an offer earlier today from Jefferies' Investment Banking Division. I interviewed ... its uncommon for people to come out of my school with an investment banking offer). So to anyone ... hasn't adequately prepared me for a career in banking (I don't go to an ivy league or anything, and ...
Junior Year Summer: I-Banking Intern or Top Hedge Fund Intern this but at the same time I don't want to miss out on the junior year summer investment banking ... a great opportunity for next summer. I connected with an alumni at a top fund in the US for a junior year ... Advisors, Canyon, etc.). I am excited because I know that it is rare to be presented an opportunity like ...
I-Banking Brainteasers Qs Source 2. Three envelopes are presented in front of you by an interviewer. One contains a job offer, the ... brainteasers /three-envelopes-are-presented-in-front-of-you-by-an-interviewer-one-contains-a-job-offer-the ... can you determine which switch controls which light bulb? 4. Four investment bankers need to cross ...
I-Banking internship as a freshman? How good does it look to have an investment banking internship as a freshman? Would it help me ... significantly more for BB or MM recruiting as a sophomore? 1st internship ...
Public Finance I-Banking Interview, Help!! for the role of an analyst within a public finance banking team? Any thoughts would be appreciated, ... I have spent a lot of time reviewing for investment banking interviews using various guides ... thank you.... public finance ...
Already at Top 3 I.Bank (MS, GS, JPM). Do I want an MBA? downs I managed to secure a position as an i banker at one of the top three after graduation (perhaps ... currently studying for the GMAT as I now consider that with a good score I actually have a shot at getting ... people want top MBAs to be able to have a shot at firms like the top 3 i banks. I can't find much ...
More suggestions...

I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.

Reply

Quote

Report

Other

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

HF

PM in HF - Other

7y

Most Helpful

If you know you want to do hedge funds in advance, you can try to get a hedge fund gig right out of undergrad. There are a few large firms that now have undergrad programs: - Point72 (Analyst Program) - Tudor - AQR (QR) - Two Sigma (QR) - Citadel (QR) - Bridgewater - D. E. Shaw (QR, Analyst Program) - Rentec (QR) There are probably at least a few firms that resonate with strategies you want to be working in. Getting in is not easy, but IB isn't the only path to the buyside.

Reply

Quote

Report

Other

Authored by: Certified Hedge Fund Professional - Portfolio ManagerCertified Hedge Fund Pro

Travis Bickle

IB

7y

Thanks whitewalker!

I'll check out the opportunities there. Definitely gonna modify my course of action now. :)

Reply

Quote

Report

Other

Asset Management Reviews

Elite_Bulge

PE

7y

Officiis blanditiis vel consequuntur quos. Est tempora voluptatem molestias ut sit voluptas quod. Ut ducimus quis quam. Eaque atque non veritatis et consequatur. Qui dolor magni recusandae libero reprehenderit. Ab deleniti enim nam expedita.

Dolores cumque beatae sit consectetur adipisci dolorem. Ipsam porro vel harum rerum. Incidunt perspiciatis fugiat accusantium minima.

Vel est natus qui placeat laboriosam ea. Molestiae vero voluptate sint earum veritatis. Ea laboriosam consequatur et id consequatur.

Veritatis nisi est nam odit. Eaque et laboriosam aut accusantium pariatur. Consequuntur optio illo aut soluta. Explicabo nulla expedita repellendus et facere.

+168	Q&A: I'm a Pod PM	88	41m
+11	Should I get an MBA for VC after Tech PM?	2	2d
+9	Stay or leave?	1	2d
+6	Lateraling to MM L/S	1	4d
+6	Tips for breaking into Macro RV?	1	1d
+6	Are there any ways to find the intrinsic value of a bond/TL?	0	1h
+5	Citadel Pitch Comp	2	2h
+3	Jain	1	1d
+2	Top Books for Hedge Funds Today	4	1d

1	redever	99.2
2	kanon	99.0
3	Secyh62	99.0
4	BankonBanking	99.0
5	Betsy Massar	98.9
6	dosk17	98.9
7	CompBanker	98.9
8	DrApeman	98.9
9	GameTheory	98.9
10	bolo up	98.8

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

IB as an Intermediary Step

Score Breakdown

Feedback

Score Breakdown

Feedback

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

IB as an Intermediary Step

See All Comments - 100% Free

Trending Content - Hedge Fund Forum