How do people figure out what division of investment banking they want to work in? Being a college sophomore, I’m having trouble figuring out what I specifically want to do in the world of investment banking. Any insight is appreciated
| +67 | PWP acquisition by Piper cancelled | 27 | 1d |
| +60 | Is my MD a grifter? 16 years, 8 firms | 16 | 13h |
| +43 | No return offer - UPDATE. | 12 | 1d |
| +41 | "Corporate & Investment Banking" Analyst - Why? | 35 | 5h |
| +40 | Article: UBS Wall Street Rebuild Is a Study in Management Failure | 7 | 2d |
| +30 | MS / GS IBD ACs London interview processes run by nationality? | 21 | 2m |
| +29 | Lack of talent in IB! | 25 | 17h |
| +28 | What Are The Best Boutiques 2026/2027 | 16 | 18h |
| +24 | Wells Fargo Calling Themselves a BB? | 16 | 20h |
| +24 | Moat of modelling in PE/Finance completely vanished; | 3 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
ib is a division bud
that’s both useless and unhelpful. Personally, I was interested in RX from the get go because it seemed complicated and had a high number of situations where you needed to really learn a lot about companies and what was going on. I didn’t too much like the synergies BS of M&A, though it’s not really that bad. I took a look at the things I had done in my life previously, what interested me (analytical, puzzle like work, complicated) and applied it to the type of banking. Some people have sports backgrounds and want to do some kind of banking, and a lot of nerds want to do tech because they can only think of that in the media coverage that is very influential to them.
Where do people with sports background work? And what do they want?
Exit opps, pedigree, compensation
Do you feel drawn to any specific part of what you're reading and talking about yet? When I was recruiting for my IB internship, I was always attracted to the structuring side and therefore focused on levfin, rx, sponsors groups for networking and recruiting (didn't hurt that those were the ones everyone said had the most optionality). That being said, when it came time for group placement I got swayed by prestige and group rankings at my bank and interned in a group I hated - highly recommend not doing that lol.
People talk a lot about not limiting your exits and maximizing optionality and IMO, while that makes sense if you really don't know what you want to do, I wouldn't shy away from energy, RE, etc if you're interested in it. After I interned I re-evaluated what I actually liked and my current focus is very "niche" but I love the industry focus and the work and can easily see building a career in it.
Sometimes it's easier to find what you don't like and then start narrowing it down. Personally, I don't like energy/oil/tech, so it wouldn't make sense for me to pursue those groups.
just avoid underperforming banks like db/ubs and choose a team you enjoy working with.
Tbh everyone who was smart was doing it and I wanted to make the most money out of college and this was the job everyone was gunning for so I did it. Now I know I shouldn't have done it.
you didn’t read the question properly, mate.
Thanks mate. So if there is a specific industry that excites you and you want to learn more about it, think of going into that coverage area.
went to a non-target, i took whatever i could get. ended up in tech m&a, probably the best group to be in IMO.
Neque vitae reprehenderit doloremque delectus officia. Beatae quo fugit et qui impedit omnis. Illum aut est libero rem ad a. Nam delectus molestiae doloribus est vitae. Est facere reiciendis et. Laborum illum libero sed cupiditate atque at in.
Pariatur velit voluptas et qui exercitationem. Eos amet ipsa ab. Enim quae libero officia ad ea voluptas.
Fugit ex deleniti et laborum aliquam quo. Repudiandae debitis in aut atque iusto consequatur qui rem. Nesciunt illo corporis aut nemo sed corrupti. Eligendi id ut nobis aut nihil.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...