Prestige of Bankers in LA and SF?

So we all know that replying with "Investment Banking" to the question "What do you do?" in New York will make ladies swoon and guys jealous. New York City is built off finance and rightfully celebrates its toolish and prestige-whoring Investment Bankers. However, what about the other cities?

Will telling people that you are an Investment Banker be considered as prestigious in Los Angeles and San Francisco for those in the offices there? Or is the West Coast oblivious to the job title as the streets are full of actors, singers, celebrities, tech entrepreneurs, etc.

Does Silicon Valley and blue chips (Google, Apple, Microsoft) overshadow the Investment Bankers in California? Those with experience in either LA or SF please share your experience and ESPECIALLY if you've also been to New York so that a comparison can be drawn between just how prestigious people think Investment Banking is in the East Coast vs. the West Coast.

13 Comments
 

While I didn't have much time (or desire) this summer to find out, the thing you have to consider in doing banking in LA/SF is that last call, in all of California, is 2AM. If you're getting out of the office around 12, you don't have as much time anyway to try to impress people with your job (or anything for that matter, heh).

 

prestige is freaking overrated anyways. Just because you have a job that pays more, doesn't mean you are a better person.

In LA, nobody knows IB except for a very small community. SF has a bigger population but most people still think you work as a bank teller or some financial advisor.

 

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