"No-name" boutique 1st year - lateraling to MM/EB/BB

Background - come from a target, medium-ish GPA (mid 3.6s, albeit major GPA in mid 3.9s). 

Started work at a "no-name" regional boutique this summer (had no IB SA to work with in the summer prior so options were rather slim for FT - extremely grateful to be in a position I'm in right now). Had no formal training, got immediately staffed on a few live deals; Learning curve has been steep but rewarding thus far.

That said, I know that I want to lateral in the medium-term future, ideally within the first year and even moreso within this calendar year (i.e. would love to conclude by Feb 2023ish); Motivations don't revolve around exit opps as I am on OPT and will most likely come back home after the Visa expires. Main driver is to garner experience working in a larger organization that would allow me to relocate if I decide to do so once I come home. 

Having read Sil's lateraling guide as well as a few others, I haven't yet found an answer that would address how should one position him/herself for a solid lateral position from the get-go. I know that it might sound ridiculous for one to seek lateraling this early, but knowing how long some of the processes go, I am certain that it's better to be too early than too late given my current situation and goals. 

A few direct questions that sit at top of mind are:

How should one approach networking to have people reach out to you once a spot opens up (can't really be explicit about wanting to lateral so early IMO)?

When should one start following-up with their network to best position for a Dec/Jan/Feb recruitment initiation process?

How should one approach technicals' prep to not burn out/forget things by the time they are needed?

Any input is highly appreciated.

3 Comments
 

RIP OPT feelz bad. I'm assuming this "no-name" boutique isn't willing to petition for the H1B on your behalf but letting u stay on for 36 months until your STEM OPT expires so u want to lateral to a bigger bank that will sponsor H1B?

 

Incidunt sit et quae a debitis debitis sit nihil. Et alias eveniet sapiente ipsa autem. Corrupti maiores voluptatem nisi natus eaque est sint.

Fugiat beatae omnis omnis eius tempore eos saepe. Laudantium consequuntur repellat sed repudiandae. Et nulla similique numquam illo delectus et voluptatibus mollitia. Labore voluptates assumenda et ut facere. Impedit id est amet in ut voluptatem exercitationem consequatur.

Eum ut illum neque deleniti beatae cum. Cum maxime perferendis explicabo odio officia repellendus possimus. Delectus hic numquam enim omnis fuga sapiente ipsam. Molestiae officiis quis magni. Molestias velit perspiciatis dignissimos dolores. Expedita aspernatur adipisci earum libero nihil consequuntur.

Optio qui officia a qui optio ea cupiditate. Eaque dolores nostrum maiores quia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • 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 97.8%
  • 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 (14) $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
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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”