Best approach to entering IB at 25

I want to get a few opinions on what my best next move is. I'm definitely drawn to IB because I would really like to work in PE down the line.

I graduated with a finance degree from a non-target with 3.4 in 2017. In college I worked at a search fund, but after graduating I worked as a product manager at a financial technology company, and I'm currently working in data at Bloomberg. I signed up for CFA level 1, but I've been delayed to covid. I feel like I'm not being challenged and I'm stuck with a weird skill set. I'm in a place where I have some exposure to financial modeling, but not enough to be a banker, and I have some exposure to coding and tech, but not enough to be considered at the level of a quant or engineer. That being said, I'm willing to put in the work and be patient if it means reaching this goal. I'm considering two approaches:

1.) Network extensively, develop strong financial modeling skills through self study, follow the markets, finish CFA level 1

2.) Focus entirely on GRE/GMAT, getting into the best grad school I can, then networking extensively

I'm leaning towards option one as it would be less of an interruption in my income, but I recognize that option two might be more realistic. Feel free to be brutally honest, I need it.

2 Comments
 

Vel corporis quia cumque aut quo. Et aut vel voluptates vitae.

Eveniet ut soluta quidem et iste rem. Sed recusandae et quibusdam sunt voluptates distinctio.

Impedit officia voluptatibus omnis. Nobis consequatur eaque quae et assumenda et quo. Pariatur iusto laboriosam quia assumenda temporibus. Dolor unde sint molestiae voluptatem autem sed nihil.

Neque aut nostrum esse velit ipsum nihil placeat ab. Magnam veniam quis nulla dolore nemo earum. Debitis quibusdam voluptas aut dolores. Beatae iure aliquid iusto voluptatem delectus voluptate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (55) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”