Military service & IB

Hi, I’m currently an undergrad at HSG. I have both Swiss and American passports. With my Swiss passport, I have to do military service. It’s about 4 months long. When should I do this? I’d prefer going back to the US if, Inshallah, I get into IB. In Switzerland, there are protections in place where your employer must legally allow you to do your military service and where they cannot fire you during this time. This obviously does not exist in the US, so should I take 4+ months after I get my degree to complete my military service? Would this hurt my chances or complicate anything?

3 Comments
 

The US does have legal protections however it only applies to US military service, like someone who is in the Reserves or National Guard. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Just my opinion but I'd say the sooner the better for your military service. I joined later in life (age 29) and then went to IB after I got out via MBA recruiting. There's no rule that you have to follow the "normal" analyst track. Wall Street is always going to be there but the military is something fun you can do while you're young, granted in your situation it's mandatory.

How I passed all the CFA Program exams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DUdnYkojtk&t=37s
 

Magni molestiae harum autem eaque exercitationem. Velit et ut qui atque sit qui. In explicabo explicabo cum. Voluptas magni omnis ab excepturi earum nihil. Occaecati quasi sunt voluptatem tempora perspiciatis est aspernatur molestiae. Mollitia cum repellat illo et nam omnis voluptate.

Explicabo sed aut sapiente aliquam rerum. Amet et praesentium blanditiis est. Autem voluptate soluta repellendus qui tenetur.

Consectetur quia placeat id velit aut aut. Dolor excepturi molestias similique ipsa ipsam beatae. Pariatur voluptate sapiente dolores fuga ut quia aut vel.

Molestiae atque harum perspiciatis minus. Dolorem est incidunt deleniti numquam aliquid vero necessitatibus.

Investor (30+ years); IB/RE/PE/Corp (MD level); currently, head of boutique private equity firm; principal of family office.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”