Interesting paths to IB?

Recently read na interesting story of someone who started out in M&A law before moving to an in house M&A team at an energy company and then jumping over to a BB as a director.

While I chose a different industry I still think M&A is an interesting job to have so just wondering if you guys have any stories of people entering IB at a director/MD level from a non traditional background. 

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A decent number of people, I often wonder if this is even possible now, because it looks like banking has become more standardized or prestige-driven, but there are a lot of people I have seen who have done this and been fortunate to speak with them, too.

Just some top ones I remember, but I do think it's more common for people to start off more junior. At least, the ones I spoke with were.

  1. Was a software engineer, then a product manager, then moved to tech coverage at a BB, now a senior banker.
  2. Was a hardware engineer before joining as an associate (I have no clue how) at a BB, focusing on semiconductors, and now is a D+.
  3. Lawyer for a decade before doing M&A at a mid-tier BB, and now is a senior banker at an EB.
  4. Was a mortgage dealer, before joining as an analyst, and is now an MD in levfin
  5. I think this is more advisory/industry-based. I have not spoken with any of them, but seen a few former congressmen, ambassadors, former administration officials join as director, VP, etc., all at some top firms.

    But all of them did put in their hours and time before eventually rising. It might be more common to directly join as a senior person, if you have a network or have a skillset in demand. I don't know what a former US ambassador brings, but maybe his experience and government network is all that he needs.

     But the rest of them, and especially the ones I spoke with, all told me that what mattered to their success was persistence, and not giving up.
     

 

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