A seat at the table

27-Oct-21

Today was the day I finally received an offer to work at an investment bank and things just seem to finally be fitting together. With this one offer in hand and another Bulge Bracket Super day the following week, it really feels surreal to finally be at this moment. I understand that this is by no means the be-all-end-all but it just feels so comforting to finally have a seat at the table after this 3-year endeavor of planning and sacrificing so much just to be here. 

This isn't meant to be a self-jerk on WSO but really a reflection with myself that I hope to share with this site because for many years now I have come to WSO for advice and would like to leave a part of me here too.

It only seems fitting that the end of the first chapter, that I leave something here for the site that helped me through so many moments of doubts or post-interview hell when you're waiting for the next call-up and thus trawl through the forums here. 

 If I can leave one piece of advice to any person who may come across this post one day. Its really the importance of keeping the right friends around you and to have a supportive network.

This journey really is a hard one, and more often than not we often pride ourselves on our grit and tenacity for suffering but at the end of the day what really makes the difference and gets you across the line is:

(1) The mates that you can crack a cold one with when times are good and especially so when they are bad

(2) Family that will make sure you have a warm dinner in the microwave no matter what ungodly hour you get home 

(3) Most importantly the girlfriend with the unlimited patience to listen to your rants (finance is really not a great convo topic for everyone) and keep you grounded even as you chase this aspiration

To end off just want to say that, chasing this dream is definitely something that you do for yourself whether its for the money, prestige or education by it is by no means done by yourself. So don't forget the people around you.

Good luck and have fun. 

4 Comments
 

Tempore fugiat nulla minus aut. Nihil deleniti et nisi impedit explicabo. Eos culpa sed itaque eius. Asperiores quia omnis voluptas voluptatibus eos molestias repudiandae.

Ad ut ea nihil. Quis beatae accusantium et iste voluptas assumenda quia.

Ut vel nam architecto corrupti quis corrupti odio. Nisi autem fuga eligendi nostrum. Itaque nobis qui blanditiis qui repellendus et.

Nihil nobis optio natus laborum inventore et vero doloremque. Dolorem vel quo fugit quasi. Dolorum quasi iste qui.

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...”