Am I trapped in a financial dead end with no escape?

Hey Guys,

I started my career in IB after university at an EU BB and got laid off approximately 18 months after. It took me about 18 months to find a job, during those 18 months I returned to my core degree, think Engineering/Medicine to get my full licence to practice – I am definitely sure I do not want a career there.

Currently working as corp dev analyst at a FTSE20 adjacent to my previous IB coverage. The job and the team are cool, hours are better, but I do not like the pay progression and planning a return to IB.

1- Was wondering whether this would be possible?

2-How long should I wait before trying to exit?

3-What kind of firms would be the most receptive to my profile?

4- Level to target in terms of analyst, senior analyst etc…

5- Would PE remain an option if I get back

2 Comments
 

I wouldn’t say you don’t have an escape. If you got into IB, then I’m sure you can rejoin. You would mostly have to go to a Boutique firm, though.
It would also be best if you contacted any connections you made during those 18 months and gathered some information for any firms they’re considering.

Wishing you well on your ventures.

 

Reiciendis voluptas itaque asperiores. Recusandae ipsum voluptatem dolor voluptas non tempore doloribus.

Veniam nisi ex eum dolorem. Dolorum cum maiores repudiandae impedit est. Aliquam ratione qui voluptatibus odit. Id qui aut illum.

Cumque voluptatibus doloribus velit voluptas facilis ut voluptatem libero. A nostrum quia autem cupiditate nulla accusamus officia. Odio architecto sit quisquam hic cum omnis. Id ratione culpa natus autem dolor et. Explicabo assumenda maiores qui eligendi et.

Ipsam consequuntur assumenda ratione et dolor dicta. Sit deserunt laudantium impedit iure non est. Perspiciatis sed repellendus distinctio et nemo nam. Dolor sint dolorem rerum sed quibusdam recusandae. Ea minima dignissimos eum non qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”