Feeling Dejected Before Grad

I feel like a failure with graduation and on cycle coming up. For context, I go to a target and my friends are all going to be at boutiques like Evercore/PJT/Moelis etc. but I feel like I dropped the ball by being at a mid tier BB especially since people do make occasional comments about it. I’m definitely perceived differently than they are and I’m honestly feeling pretty lost and down about everything to come. I’m not sure what the best next steps would be to get myself out of this pit of self pity/disappointment and am just looking for some outside perspective.

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

While it is good to aim high and keep moving forward, every once in a while you need to look back and at others less fortunate than you.
You are 21-22 graduating into a role making in the top 1% earners of your age group world wide.

I know college kids judge careers by the first job, but you need to judge them by their sustainability and growth.

Would you want to take a MF offer and join Moelis and burn out before you even begin? There are enough people burning out after 3-4 years or less in the industry.

Be grateful for what you have and make plans to make yourself successful sustainably over the long term. First step doesn’t define your destination. 

 

You’re right! I think it’s just been challenging to not compare myself but I definitely need to take a step back from it all and not listen to what others have said as well as my own doubts. It just feels like I’ve wasted the opportunities I’ve had which is a hard pill to swallow.

 

Do you know how many people would kill to be in your seat?

You think getting a Evercore role is success? What about being selected for BX analyst program? Citadel?

What about being selected at NASA JPL straight out of school? 

There are always roles out there that are more competitive than yours. If you keep comparing, your whole life will feel like a failure and you will never be happy.

Be proud of what you have accomplished.  

 

Vel id ut maiores sed quas. In officia dolores impedit corrupti dignissimos.

In praesentium enim veritatis voluptatum rerum veritatis officiis placeat. Vitae et vero debitis ut minus ut. Id sit occaecati totam voluptatibus. Sapiente vel cumque sed ut voluptas sint assumenda voluptas. Doloremque qui molestiae saepe suscipit fugit repellendus qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
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
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”