Student Athlete Undergraduate at any Ivy League -->Accepted FT Offer in BB Commercial Banking… Any Path to IB/Capital Markets?
Looking for some real, non-sugar-coated advice from people who’ve actually made this jump or understand the recruiting landscape.
Background:
I’m a senior at an Ivy League target (finance/econ), strong GPA, and successful D1 athlete (First Team All-Ivy League, Ivy League Honor Roll, etc.). I didn’t take recruiting seriously early enough, and ended up doing a Commercial Banking SA at a BB. I performed well and accepted the full-time return offer in their CB vertical (Tech Coverage).
The issue is — and I’m being honest here — I feel like I’m overqualified for the CB track given my background, and I know this is absolutely NOT where I want to spend my career. I want to end up in Investment Banking (coverage/M&A) or Capital Markets (ECM/DCM/LevFin). I don’t want to wake up in 2–3 years pigeonholed as a credit underwriter.
- Is it still realistically possible to get into IB/CM after starting FT in Commercial Banking?
Are there real examples of people making this jump? Is it a 1-year plan? 2-year plan? Total long shot?
- What’s the best strategy: internal mobility at the BB vs. external lateral recruiting?
I’ve heard internal moves from CB --> IB are rare, but possible with enough networking. True or BS?
- Will being at an Ivy, strong GPA, and a varsity athlete actually help in a lateral process, or do I basically start from zero once I’m in CB?
Totally open to blunt advice here — just want to understand the real path forward.
in a similiar boat but at a semi target, bump
Appreciate the bump and I feel your pain. One of the toughest parts for me this past summer was realizing that most people around me in CB didn’t have the same level of competitiveness or drive that I do. Nothing wrong with that, but it was tough watching people across the floor in IB who were way more similar to me in terms of intensity and ambition.
People were even surprised when they heard my background, which just reinforced that I ended up in the wrong lane for the trajectory I’m aiming for. Now just trying to figure out the cleanest path to pivot.
Which BB?
Did you not try FT recruiting? I’ve seen a decent amount of CB SA to IB FT, as well as many CB Asc to IB Asc
Yeah, I’m still going through FT recruiting, but I did sign the CB return offer. Just trying to understand the realistic paths so I don’t get stuck in CB long-term, since it’s looking like that’s where I’ll be starting out.
Yeah, I’m still going through FT recruiting, but I did sign the CB return offer. Just trying to understand the realistic paths so I don’t get stuck in CB long-term, since it’s looking like that’s where I’ll be starting out.
dcm iss the easiest sell. Most likely you would need to transfer to corporate banking unless you’re at JPM which has some commercial banking groups that are more adjacent to corp/ib
Which groups if you don’t mind me asking? What does the path look like into getting into those groups as a C&SI intern?
You can move from Commercial Banking to Investment Banking or Capital Markets. It is a common shift. You need a clear plan and steady networking.
Start with internal mobility. Ask your manager or HR about rotations into Capital Markets. This is usually the fastest path because you are already inside the bank.
Begin networking now. Reach out to analysts and associates in the groups you want. Ask for short calls. Be direct. Say you want to move into IB or CM and are building the steps for it.
Collect deal examples from your Commercial Banking role. Even small deals matter. Show that you understand credit, clients, and process. Use these examples when interviewing.
Target middle market or boutique banks first if the big banks feel out of reach at the start. Once you have experience in IB, you can move again.
Your athlete background helps. It shows discipline, consistency, and focus. Use that in your story.
Dude jus keep recruiting. Reneging not a big deal, especially from CB. There’s like zero ways this bites you in the ass. Just keep recruiting for what you want
Those across the floor in IB may be more similar in terms of competitiveness and ambition, but there is also the smarts piece and u an athlete my g
Hahaha fair point I guess. I just directed all my time toward athletics and keeping my GPA up. Didn’t put any real effort into recruiting back then, which in hindsight was the mistake. 3.8 at Cornell proves I had the ability, at least i think — just didn’t know what I wanted to do career wise when recruitment began....
Dont listen to the clowns that try and say athletes are dumb. You got a better gpa that most narps whose day consists of gooning and maybe a pset. Just gotta keep on the recruiting grind
you can try to do a 1-yr master's at cornell - gives you extra time to recruit for ft. or take a break spring semester and graduate in december instead.
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