Alternative entry points for IB

What are some alternatives ways to get into ib (m&a) that isn’t

Target -> IB
Or
Top b-school -> IB

6,224 WSO Academy Investment Banking Session Reviews: 4.82/5

Class of '25 Nov 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Career Roadmap (optional)

“My mentor provided valuable guidance in helping me develop a clearer career roadmap, taking the time to understand my background, interests and long-term ambitions. His advice was tailored to my goals, helping me identify potential career paths and the practical steps needed to pursue them. He helped me break down my ambitions into manageable priorities, including the skills and experience I should focus on developing. I particularly appreciated his thoughtful approach, which encouraged me to consider both my immediate next steps and how they could support my longer-term progression. His support gave me greater clarity, confidence and a stronger sense of direction. I would highly recommend his mentoring to anyone looking for personalised guidance in planning their career.”

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

Class of '26 Nov 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Short Resume Review / Recap

“My resume review experience with Julian Gropp was exceptional. Even before our session, he carefully reviewed both versions of my resume and provided detailed, personalized feedback. He identified two major areas for improvement: positioning my unique healthcare background as a competitive advantage and quantifying my accomplishments with measurable results. What impressed me most was his attention to detail. He asked 13 thoughtful questions to understand my education, career transition, financial projects, internships, and technical skills before rewriting my resumes. He then created two targeted versions—one for Investment Banking and another for Corporate Finance—while ensuring every accomplishment was accurate and defensible during interviews. One piece of advice that truly stayed with me was, "Lead with finance. Healthcare is your edge, but it does not define you." This completely changed how I think about presenting my professional background. He also helped me identify my strongest experiences, improve my financial project descriptions, and recognize the importance of building a healthcare-focused financial model to demonstrate technical competency. Julian went beyond simply editing my resume. He helped me understand how recruiters evaluate candidates, how to communicate a nontraditional career transition confidently, and how to develop a stronger professional narrative. His guidance was honest, practical, encouraging, and tailored to my goals. I genuinely appreciate the time and effort he invested in helping me become a more competitive finance candidate.”

See All 11,489 WSO Academy Reviews

1 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

O

4y

Quaerat vel rerum consequuntur ducimus dolorum dicta. Perspiciatis eum ut perspiciatis magni. Qui voluptates consequatur quas numquam reprehenderit dolorum quidem. Et nihil mollitia molestiae eum. Eos est cumque dolorem reiciendis expedita aut. Totam tenetur sed aut aut modi est. Dolorum quo eaque soluta accusantium dolorem sit nostrum impedit.

+162	Analyst: Why is UBS IB doing worse than peers?, UBS CFO: No Comment	29	15h
+160	UBS Tech layoff	52	2d
+146	UBS’s M&A BANKERS ARE DOING TERRIBLY. $200M EXTRA IS BEING CUT	31	1d
+119	Leaked Interview Questions to Recruiting Services	56	11h
+64	How do YOU manage networking requests?	20	11h
+60	Are target prospects getting dumber?	27	1d
+34	MBB Pay Raises	26	2d
+21	Earliest you can get fired	7	11h
+21	US 2027 SA IB worried about background check	7	8m
+20	Career Crossroads	3	16h

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

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Alternative entry points for IB

Score Breakdown

Feedback

Score Breakdown

Feedback

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Alternative entry points for IB

See All Comments - 100% Free

Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum