Beginners Guide to Investment Banking

As someone who will probably be entering a target university next year, I'd like to learn a little more about the world of investment banking. I'd like to learn more about the specific roles like emerging markets and so on, and just generally what goes on. Whats the best way to do this? Cheers

9 Comments
 

Sorry if I said something wrong but whats funny about that? I have to choose between a target and a semi-target university so I want to know more about investment banking to see if its worth going to the target uni which is in London and as such there is a higher cost of living for me. So I'm politely asking what the best way is to learn about the industry as I don't know a massive amount about it. I'm not trying to brag about going to a target uni or something

 

Yes I know how to use google but I haven't got much idea of where I should be looking. What I'm wondering is if there is any specific resources i.e. websites, books, documentaries and so on that are of particular help since it would save time.

 

I’ll offer some reprieve for this newbie.

  1. Emerging markets isn’t a role. It’s a market. within it can be many roles, analyst, m&a, real estate, etc
  2. You can do some research on the services an investment bank provides and learn more by googling about what you find
  3. Nobody on here has the time or desire to explain to you the many many many things investment banks do. Take it upon yourself to do the baseline research and ask more pontificated questions here rather than “tell me about all the roles in an investment bank”.

Last. Choose the cheapest option for college. Thank me later.

SYB

"Out the garage is how you end up in charge It's how you end up in penthouses, end up in cars, it's how you Start off a curb servin', end up a boss"
 
Most Helpful

I don't know why people are being unfriendly, we were all at choosing our uni once. You are 100% ahead of the crowd by even thinking about it before going to university. I can't help much for guides to IB (try mergers and Inquisitions, some decent introductory pieces) but I would say suck it up and go to London. Except for some shitty back office functions in Leeds or wherever (and some rogue AM positions in Edinburgh) London is not just the hub it's the genuine article. If you really want to keep your doors open, living 20 min versus 4 hours drive from networking events is pretty crucial.

Also, people who made it despite not going to targets can underestimate how much easier it makes your life. It gives your CV heft even if you've got zero experience. Firms will come to you, alumni will be useful, professors might have connections (interviewed with a prop trading firm through a prof last year). It's just a different ball game, and compared to college prices in the US it's definitely worth it.

The key for me is your degree focus- is it related to finance? If not, you NEED to go to the target. The only people I know that had History on their CV and got into GS/JPM/BAML were at Oxbridge (or on diversity recruiting, but that's its own conversation).

My 02c is If finance degree-> still target, because of networking If not finance degree-> DEFINITELY target bc it will help give you credibility.

 

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