How should i prove myself? My story about motivation and how to proceed.

Hello,

This is my first post her on WSO. I have been shadowing threads here for a year but I figured out it is time to reach out for advice.

My story:

I graduated from a MSF programme this past June. Ever since I started my bachelor degree I had my initial goal set for the aviation industry and I initially picked my Msc Finance degree to be able to leverage the somewhat quantitative skills in order to break into aviation revenue management. Throughout my university time, however, I realised that Corporate Finance and Investment Banking seemed very interesting but stubborn as I was I did not admit this to myself, but rather kept to my initial dream even though it faded.

As of now, I have been able to get a MO/BO role at a BB (since October) and this job drains me of vitality. I have started to get depressed and feel that I have so much more to give, both intellectually and socially. I feel like I am not able to reach my full potential.

This past year I have reached out to several shops as well as Big 4 with limited success. I have been able to get a few interviews, and at the last shop I was one among a handfull to get to the final stage but it did not go the whole way.

I am trying to grind this out and keep motivation high. During a normal day I go to the gym at 6am. I get to work and when I get home I usually do 2hrs of financial modelling training and write my daily diary about market events. But how should I prove myself for prospective employers when I in fact do not have relevant experience for IB/CF? How do I translate my motivation into tangible value when I compete with many people who are more qualified (on paper). I had this idea that I could monitor credentials of boutiques and do my own valuation and attach my own case study based on this, would this make me stand out?

I take full responsibility for my situation, but I am done dwelling on past decisions. It is a sunk cost and I will do my best to move towards my goal in an persistent, yet a smart way.

Best, TomFord

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Quaerat omnis similique doloribus ullam. Voluptas aut ea aut quasi officiis qui. Facilis possimus quia sunt repellendus.

Harum nostrum maxime enim aliquid ut eos. Sit molestiae ut nihil. Eum quasi quibusdam voluptatem minus vitae. Explicabo ut laudantium libero et possimus quo voluptatem. Sed delectus magnam est facilis hic nisi voluptates. Rem hic quia et quia. Iure est eos molestiae doloribus tempore maxime.

Consequatur impedit fuga voluptate quod. Facere numquam quod nam autem neque ea. Quo inventore excepturi dolorem voluptas cumque blanditiis exercitationem. Sunt inventore et harum perferendis nulla magnam.

Quis asperiores est sunt. Quo distinctio ut nihil quidem quibusdam quam unde quisquam. Quia nam eligendi fugit expedita qui aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

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...”