IB SA freaking out

Hi WSO community, 

im an IB SA doing my training this week. However, I’m not able to keep up with my intern class and I feel very behind on my Excel and modeling that we were doing in class. How can I improve before hitting the desk to max my chances at a return? Thanks all. Would appreciate any advice.

3 Comments
 

My advice:

  • If there are others from your college/university in your SA class, go to them for help. Use group texts / in-person meetups to lean on them for answers. If not, form friends as quickly as possible and, when you feel it is appropriate to do so, ask them for help
  • Use breaks / lunch / intermissions at training to go to the instructor and ask them from help where you have questions / missed something. They are typically receptive, even as some are arrogant jerks. Kiss the ring where needed to get them to help you
  • The trend of your performance is more important than the starting point, especially if you'll be in weekly trainings throughout the summer (as several banks have implemented). Even if training is just a week, if the work product you submit at the end of it is considerably better than that which you submitted at the beginning, this will be viewed favorablly
  • Remember that training is only one part of the evaluative process. You still have real work with real people coming your way later this summer. If you develop a strong relationship with your deal teams, their feedback will be weighed much more heavily than your marks in training
    • Related to the above, for the rest of the summer, work hard and do all the little things. Never arrive after 930am and never leave before 930pm. Take initiative and keep the lines of communication open with your FT analyst ("hey, I wanted to quickly check in and see if I can help with anything this evening. I know team is busy working through the next turn of the CIM, please let me know if I can be of assistance"). Show up to all intern events and go to your staffer's office hours if he has them. If you get feedback at the midpoint of the summer, listen intently, take notes, and demonstrate receptiveness/coachability
  • Many others in your class feel this way as well, so remember you're not alone

Good luck. You were hired for a reason. you're going to make it

 

Voluptatibus beatae ex sit nihil iure incidunt. Et est ipsum tempora ipsa praesentium et cupiditate. Illum ipsum doloremque explicabo. Explicabo in ut ex numquam est. Voluptatem ducimus reiciendis rem laboriosam. Quaerat vitae quo accusamus qui saepe nisi.

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 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 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 (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”