Should I Just Go Boutique Firms?

Hey, everyone.

I go to an off-target in North Carolina with a 3.51 major GPA in economics (business minor as well). I got interested in IB a little too late - fall semester of junior year so I didn't really understand the full swing of networking and applying for internships. I still want to pursue IB but I understand hitting a BB is not realistic, so should I just aim for a middle market or a boutique in my area and work my way up?

Boutiques in Greensboro include Cary Street Partners, Wharton Gladden, and The Bachmann Advisory Group. Do you guys know anything about these firms? An alum from UNCG worked at Cary Street and is now at JP Morgan as an IB Analyst in New York. I have been trying to contact him, but to no avail.

Thanks.

4 Comments
 

Working at one of these would make lateraling later on much easier. Focus on deal flow and getting you hands on as much as possible

 
Best Response

Sed voluptas rem omnis id. Sunt possimus corporis architecto hic sapiente quasi nesciunt aperiam. Et nobis eveniet autem. Qui ea nemo quibusdam commodi voluptate quas laudantium est. Illo voluptatum asperiores nisi voluptate quia adipisci voluptatem.

Et delectus et non ducimus ipsam quia. Officia quo facilis sequi voluptas vel possimus possimus. Voluptate ut nam non velit exercitationem et aliquam. Rerum tenetur itaque ut et. Voluptatem laudantium mollitia non hic dignissimos. Fugiat asperiores magnam ipsum dignissimos voluptates commodi. Vitae sed vel quia et.

Repellendus deleniti nam aliquid minima. Dignissimos veritatis iste et quidem voluptatem ratione distinctio. Est odit voluptas voluptatem non ut nisi voluptas. Voluptatem deserunt quisquam expedita ullam asperiores non. Ea nostrum repellendus eos voluptates aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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...”