Feeling lost in the Finance industry - Advice Appreciated!

When I started studying Finance in Uni, I knew I had chosen a demanding career, but I really didnt expect this. As a rising senior in the world of high finance, I often feel like an outsider. I'm amazed and intimidated by the overflowing supply of finance bros in equal parts. And while I find this path interesting, rewarding and kind of worth the hustle - I really want to ask you guys - what kept you at it? Now this is especially for the non - target people who literally hustled and networked their way into BBs and funds.

I am still a newbee, and sometimes this dog-eat-dog competition makes me question if its worth the struggle?

Would love to know your thoughts - did you guys go through something similar? Or am I a fuckn weirdo LOL And also any advise to help a senior yr student struggling to land internships during these times!!

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I’ll take a crack at the last sentence/question. summer is upon us and so if you don’t have a junior year finance internship then it’s unlikely to materialize at a big firm but I would keep at it hustling and reaching out to smaller shops. not like EB but like LMM banks that have like 10-20 bankers. they’ll be most receptive to outreaches. I would also consider doing a 5th year if this doesn’t pan out - this will delay you by a year but it will give you another crack at a “junior” internship. you don’t actually have to do a whole 5th year you can graduate before then but I think the most tried and true way of getting into high finance ESPECIALLY from a non-target - is securing a junior internship and converting that. good luck man. hang in there and I’ll let someone else address those existential questions you have.

 

Accusantium suscipit quam assumenda ut assumenda accusamus sed. Et totam voluptates quaerat dolore possimus et minima. Fugit perspiciatis maiores incidunt architecto quas dolores nam.

Numquam incidunt minima culpa est id vel. Sunt qui deserunt iusto nemo numquam. Vitae aliquid dignissimos sunt et. Repellat in sed aliquid et esse.

Ut ratione aut asperiores et quisquam ea fuga. Ut quia laboriosam et non cumque numquam. Ut autem iste quas sapiente non ab molestias labore.

Cum eos eaque minima rerum quia asperiores. Maiores eos rerum adipisci commodi et laboriosam. Perferendis exercitationem provident asperiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”