Can a geopolitics/gov resume still break into IB from a target?

Freshman at target  interested in IB but resume is policy / geopolitics heavy. Do I still have a shot at recruiting?

Current freshman. 4.0, Poli Sci . Most of my experience so far is in government / policy / geopolitical analysis (think natsec, foreign policy, OSINT-style research, etc.). Leadership on campus in IR and policy orgs. No Econ coursework  

This summer I’m working in an intelligence / geopolitics-related role (not finance). Valuable experience, but not obviously relevant for IB recruiting.


Can I still pivot from policy/gov profile into IB at a target?


Any recommendations on positioning geopolitical / policy experience so it doesn’t look random?


Should I do intro Econ course fall semester, Calc III, Stats, etc? Does my lack of quant coursework matter  

Goal would be to keep IB junior summer open as an option (alongside law school longer-term). Appreciate any candid advice from people who made similar pivots or recruited with non-traditional early experience.

2 Comments
 

Eaque laudantium quasi tenetur sint temporibus iusto libero. Nemo numquam aut reprehenderit. Omnis aliquam sed autem sint aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 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

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 04 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 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

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”