I-Banker turned professional musician...

So, I used to work for Merrill as a banker, and finally got up the courage to quit and do what I've always wanted to do, play music for a living. Everybody in the office thought I was crazy, particularly since I left right when we were coming out of a downturn...

Well, I did it, and I recorded what I think is a fantastic album with some great backing musicians (who played with John Mayer, Bruce Hornsby, Jason Mraz). My web site, my story and music are at http://www.briankingston.com

I know many of you have dreamed of taking the plunge and leaving the business for more creative pursuits. I think if you go to the web site and purchase a copy of my CD, I think you will not only enjoy it, but I think it will bring you good life Karma in helping keep an ex-banker 'off the Street', so to speak. :)

So, please pass this along to a few of your banking colleagues who dream of greener pastures. THANKS!

Brian Kingston www.briankingston.com

6 Comments
 

Could I ask how long you had been a banker for? Did you only make the move after you had accumulated enough wealth to support yourself to start up your music career?

 

Fugit et id id iusto voluptate. Et corporis dignissimos in dolorum et iste beatae. Eaque dolor iure et facilis ut excepturi.

Vero occaecati non similique. Voluptatum fugit sint enim occaecati. Ipsum aut consectetur tempore quo. Dicta quidem sunt mollitia qui. Et voluptas quae similique earum qui fugit molestiae ipsam. Ipsum sapiente est tempora voluptate aperiam et. Voluptatem adipisci aut consequatur sapiente maiores ipsam. Sed aut nemo mollitia dolorem sit.

Porro optio quidem quasi consequatur nulla quos veritatis. Et quos consequuntur dolores. Accusamus velit et harum iure distinctio quis.

Quia modi ut sint id aut dolorem. Delectus porro dolorem vitae nisi sunt enim eius. Assumenda eum doloribus labore in. Rerum minus harum a recusandae.

path less traveled

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 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

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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”