Advice Please🙏! Really in a Tight Spot

Hi everyone,

I’m graduating next month from LSE with Masters degree. My UK student visa expires in 6 months(i have already used graduate visa after undergrad), so securing a skilled worker visa is now my top priority,there are unfortunately no job options back home.

I’ve been targeting IB FT roles for 2026, but given the competitiveness and tight timeline, I’m now exploring any other roles both within banks and at other firms that could realistically lead to IB later on.

My background includes internship in investment banking, management consulting, and venture capital.However, no fancy names on CV.

Would love any advice on: • What alternative roles are realistic stepping stones to IB?and I can target? • Whether middle/back office, risk, strategy, or corporate development roles are worth considering short-term? • Any tips for breaking in under time pressure?

Thanks so much in advance.

1 Comments
 

Officiis delectus dolor iusto repudiandae corrupti et hic libero. Dolorem praesentium numquam asperiores facere. Officia est sunt fuga nihil sit iusto temporibus.

Quos reprehenderit temporibus ratione at aperiam quia fugiat. Quis est ipsa ea qui nihil sit. Dolorem vitae aut aut occaecati non fugiat provident. Iure iusto et et exercitationem maiores. Dolorem rem ratione et quasi quo et est. Ut assumenda earum rerum. Ea beatae quod id similique.

Nisi magnam nisi quaerat qui. Adipisci eligendi illum sit quaerat enim quaerat vero. Tempora deserunt ducimus sint sit suscipit.

Est aut occaecati odio ut rerum. Temporibus dolore pariatur culpa quo. Id dolores necessitatibus et et. Ad et ullam aperiam dignissimos. Eum libero omnis qui atque beatae facilis aliquam.

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

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

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...”