Best practices before FT

I’m an incoming analyst and was wondering what I should be doing before my start date? Outside of the standard series prep / pre learning, is there anything that would be helpful to get a head start on? Should I be building a network in PE / HFs that I’m interested in? I know that sounds hardo, but I’ve heard it’s become even more difficult to do that while working FT, given the hours during wfh.

13 Comments
 

Relax. This has nothing to do with college. This would be my advice to anyone about to enter the working world. If you have some time off between graduating and work starting why not spend that time enjoying a hobby, with friends or family, playing video games, literally whatever you think is fun and relaxing because you’re going to be spending the next two years dedicated to your job and that free time you have now will be virtually non existent

 

Grind your excel/PPT skills so you’re more efficient and can sleep earlier

 
Most Helpful

Assumenda repellendus dolorem quod nemo necessitatibus nam dolore. In possimus dolores dolore enim voluptas laborum. Dolores autem expedita delectus esse aspernatur sed aperiam rem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”