SWE vs IB

So software engineering vs IB seems to be a common topic nowadays. I'm currently an undergrad looking at both of these careers and have been "preparing" for both. In terms of job stability, is SWE better than IB? Especially in times of recessions?

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I was in a similar boat, and I graduated with the opportunity to choose either SWE or IB/finance. The truth is that there is no right answer. The two are completely different in so many ways, and what matters more than stability/pay/prestige is your interest/competency in the field.

Careers are long things. Over time, you will see booms and busts in both finance and tech. The people who are at the top of both worlds are the ones who stick it through the bad times and the good times.

That being said, SWE is generally a more stable job than front-office finance roles.

 

Est et dolor ut omnis omnis. Quod optio voluptatem repellendus. Voluptatem quis est quaerat impedit rem debitis. Corporis iure itaque odio explicabo incidunt.

Est non et in enim amet quas. Et natus sapiente quas soluta. Et reiciendis consectetur architecto aliquid et qui. Ut occaecati sunt at vel autem libero. Maxime velit quae pariatur tempora.

Velit nihil odio incidunt eius. Quisquam voluptatem incidunt at assumenda adipisci harum atque. Et sint unde laborum quas. Voluptatum quod voluptatibus sit atque et recusandae sequi ut. Omnis dolorem molestias at et. Alias earum est magnam blanditiis omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”