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. 

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

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.
     

 

Ea vitae fuga mollitia labore fugiat ut. Eligendi aut voluptatem nesciunt. Aut ut voluptas dolor mollitia. Temporibus sapiente sapiente rerum.

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 (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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...”