Not sure what I want to exit out into (probably not PE/Hedge-funds but want to keep that option open as well) but want better work-life balance, culture, happiness, comp, etc. Please help!
| +259 | Why UBS Is the Worst Place to Start Your IB Career | 40 | 1d |
| +216 | UBS 2nd Year Analyst Q&A (2026) | 41 | 3h |
| +93 | What's your craziest "hardo" story? | 16 | 12h |
| +62 | Indiana University Fraternity Pipelines | 36 | 2d |
| +52 | Rogo AI | 22 | 5h |
| +49 | Elite Boutique interview questions | 17 | 1d |
| +48 | Suspended for a Year | 19 | 2d |
| +47 | Wolf of Wall Street vs. Reality: Anyone else feel scammed by the movies? | 18 | 4h |
| +30 | Rate my non-target resume | 15 | 6h |
| +24 | RX Firm Lateral Advice | 15 | 10h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
If you don't want PE / HF, absolutely go for BAML. If you’re PE or bust, I’d say it’s group dependent.
BofA is clearly the option you should choose here. Working in a well-known BB will take you far, even tho you don’t want banking anymore. Also, BofA has one of the best cultures among BBs. search up WSO’s survey this year for more insights
BAML
I think it all depends on whether you want the boutique or BB experience. Can't go wrong here.
Gugg has a pretty laid-back culture from friends there and will definitely pay more. BOFA is certainly more well-known to the general public and would most likely be better for exit opps
Yeah I think you go BofA here, since lifestyle and non-finance recognition is better.
TMT/HC/Industrials at Gugg definitely have had great PE placements recently, but I get it’s not your focus.
What you really lose out is Gugg does match the other EBs for lights out pay, but would come at the expense of worse WLB.
Can I ask which exits you’ve seen from those groups specifically? Is industrials turning into one of the better groups after this year?
A couple names that I've personally seen from the groups: Advent, HIG (multiple), BX / BX Growth, Carlyle (multiple), TA, NVP, Shamrock, other MMs (vector, palladium, STG, Partners, etc). Yeah probably doesn't meet the douchey standards on this sub, but pretty easy to get to a decent fund.
Incidunt perferendis fuga sapiente voluptatem ex. Ea deserunt autem nobis omnis dolore ducimus. Provident distinctio vel maiores est. Autem omnis sunt alias. Incidunt porro enim inventore veritatis totam atque.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...