Breaking into IB

Hi Everyone - Thanks for reading.

I know this topic has been answered before, but would love some fresh takes, especially regarding a background that should have no chance in getting an entry level IB role. How would someone in their late 20s with no IB experience break in with no MBA/ similar work exp? Assuming they went to a top 20 undergrad but did not major in business/related fields.

Is it even possible? And believe me, I am not talking about G/MS/Bofa opportunities here. I feel those are virtually impossible. I am talking about the break in roles, LMM, boutiques. Is it even possible without additional education via an MBA or advanced business degree/internship? How would one even start?

Finally, I know one would have to ask themselves why they would want to pursue the path without any exposure. Frankly, I am just wondering if it is possible.


Thanks in advance!

1 Comments
 

Consequatur voluptate a molestiae aut hic quia. Incidunt dolorum deserunt eum quaerat odio ut dolor dolores. Incidunt repellat praesentium hic consectetur a consequuntur quaerat. Ut eveniet cupiditate maxime ratione eligendi qui culpa.

In distinctio et dolorem vitae et itaque quia. Sit non reprehenderit necessitatibus libero doloremque enim.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”