Alternatives to IB - "Stepping Stone"

One of the main reasons I want to go into IB is the way it looks on a resume and the opportunities it opens up down the road, whether that be continuing with finance (PE,HF, VC) or doing something else entirely. I see it as 2-3 years of hell for a wealth of opportunities and a chance to pursue anything you want in the business world.

Thoughts on this perspective? What other jobs can I land right out of college that provide the same amount of opportunities/earning potential without as much sacrifice?

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If you want the same level of opportunities without the sacrifice then you’re out of luck. You put in a few hard years early so that your life is set up down the road.

If you’re willing to work, some similarly prestigious jobs are big 4 accounting, big tech coding, and MBB consulting. All of these will crush you for 80+ hours a week for at least 2 years.

If it were easy you wouldn’t get paid well, otherwise everyone would do it. If everyone did it, it wouldn’t be a stamp of approval on your résumé because you’d be nobody special.

 

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