How can I get it right the second time around?

Hello all,

Well, my username says it all and I guess I would qualify as an "underachiever" to most of you in this forum. 

Quick Background on Myself: 

  • Born and raised in Houston, TX. Raised in what I would consider a "middle class" family however my parents sent me to private school all my life so I always looked over the fence and saw what real money looks like.
  • I graduated from University of Arkansas in 2021. I received a scholarship and had always wanted to go out of state for college.
  • While in school, I majored in Supply Chain Management and minored in Finance (3.2 GPA... poor, I know). Wal-Mart had a huge presence on campus and I thought Supply Chain was the best degree available to me. (Dumbest decision of my life) 
  • Upon graduation ended up moving back home to Houston and took the best job available to me, and that was working in Supply Chain as an analyst at a big 3 oilfield services company (SLB, HAL, BKR).

My Problem:

As soon as I graduated and joined the workforce, I quickly realized that I was far more motivated than everyone around me. Once I noticed this (which was quick) I did everything I could to get into IB. Networked, applied, and crashed. I missed the boat and there is nothing I can do about it at this point. It honestly sucks seeing people complain about a job knowing I'd give up pretty much anything to trade places with them. I know your career is not the most important thing in life, but honestly at this point it feels like it is.

My Goal:

Now, since I have missed my chance at getting in as an analyst, my only hope to getting into banking is the MBA route, which I don't even know if its a possibility for me. With my background, I need to get into programs at either Rice or UT and they are not easy. However, I do feel like if I was accepted, I could work my way into an energy group at the Associate level at one of the Houston banks. This is where I want to be and I want to do everything in my power to not screw it up again.

If there's anyone out there that can empathize with a kid like me I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. I want to work in IB and I don't care what it takes to get there. 

2 Comments
 

Ipsam omnis autem rerum possimus error deserunt aut aut. Minus eius laboriosam repudiandae fugiat. Esse nostrum sapiente aliquam. Eveniet enim velit neque atque. Quia id consequatur aperiam qui hic.

Et sit laudantium sunt iste. Maxime repellat officiis est facere nihil in. Asperiores quae voluptatem ut in saepe numquam veritatis.

Ut quia molestiae optio vel. Esse et ut et maiores tenetur ut.

Eligendi ducimus debitis dolorem aut. Id incidunt ratione tempore et minus. Ab esse non voluptatibus. Neque repudiandae qui explicabo amet sint rem. Ducimus ea debitis in modi. Velit consectetur rem est rerum.

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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”