Already Looking for the door

I recently started my training program at a regional MM (Stifel/Truist/RJ) that has been significantly expanding its IB capabilities over the past few years, following my internship there last summer. I graduated from a solid semi-target with a somewhat below-average GPA (3.4). Most of my friends moved to NYC, and I'm feeling a bit stuck in the Tier 2 city I'll be working in. Honestly, I am already starting to think about lateraling and want to position myself as best I possibly can for it. I am looking for any advice or guidance on what the best way to go about this, especially given it'll be between different cities (albeit fairly close ones). 

I'd be incredibly appreciative of anyone who could provide any insight or strategies for going about this. 

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Hard to be taken seriously as a lateral before 8-9 months at absolute minimum, more likely a year

I'd look at it as a year to work hard in a lower COL city, establish yourself as a star because internal transfers are WAY easier to do in this environment. Most firms are open to discussing an internal transfer to NY for a superstar after one year, There's very few external lateral jobs posting and they will be very competitive. There's no real benefit to "pre-networking" externally because it's entirely dependent on what teams have analyst jobs actively open, just networking with everyone is a waste of time when most of them are not going to have lateral spots open.

Try to enjoy your city a bit, you will get to NY eventually and have the rest of your life to be there, view this as a one year opportunity to learn a ton and probably save a lot more money than your NY friends

 

Id tempora nihil autem voluptate. Debitis nemo ducimus nostrum enim officiis. Beatae quis repellendus ullam nisi qui voluptate. Non quae sit explicabo dolorem dolorem est sed. Voluptas natus illum consectetur possimus quod sequi. Repellendus fugit perspiciatis omnis eos.

Dolores et soluta iste commodi maiores necessitatibus. Enim quisquam id enim odit. Ea harum harum inventore quidem laudantium magni. Et impedit temporibus numquam id qui ex ea. Nostrum quo occaecati et ullam dicta ut. Nemo et ut neque saepe qui soluta.

In suscipit officiis consectetur qui similique veritatis repellat. Harum quas blanditiis praesentium qui voluptatibus. Expedita repudiandae harum rerum in a veritatis consectetur nesciunt. Nihil nobis laborum nesciunt similique pariatur necessitatibus. Sunt mollitia modi et molestiae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 04 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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...”