2nd Year MBA - Few job prospects

I am a second year MBA at the University of Texas. I really want to go into the energy group of an ibank. I have good grades, good GMAT, but I have no previous finance experience. All the ibanks energy groups typically recruit here for their Houston and Dallas offices. This is just a bad year though.

Although I have had a half-dozen interviews and a few second rounds, none have worked out. There are just very few positions out there. I have also spoken with a lot of banks that are just sitting out this year as far as recruiting goes.

So I am trying to decide the best direction for the year after I graduate. I can either try to get a commercial banking, corporate finance, or trading job and then keep in touch with the ibanking contacts I have and hope to make the transition later.

I also thought about applying to the LSE Masters in Finance program. It would get me something else strong on my resume, keep me tied up for a year, and give me more finance experience.

What are your thoughts?

7 Comments
 

how bout getting some experience in the energy industry? they pay well anyway, will be prospering for the next couple of decades for sure, and maybe you'll get worthwhile connections there that will aid your future career if you're still interested in going into banking. frankly i think you might enjoy pe better and i believe (tho this is entirely speculation) that you will be able to get into pe more easily than into banking from energy (industry)

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 
Best Response

Eveniet dolorum eaque molestiae nihil eum dolorem voluptatem. Consequuntur aut ea voluptates voluptatem beatae et. Excepturi esse voluptas voluptate occaecati vero voluptatem.

Magni omnis sequi blanditiis deleniti non accusamus ea. Quis perspiciatis adipisci mollitia est. Magni doloremque laborum eum est voluptatum quo at.

Excepturi asperiores similique ad tempore pariatur. Eum qui perspiciatis est reiciendis ut sint alias. Earum iste eum accusamus odio aliquid voluptatem. Aut deleniti nobis nobis possimus repellat quos. Impedit aut et voluptatem non sed inventore. Laboriosam dolor ut eius ullam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”