Trying to break into IB in UAE

Good afternoon everyone, 

I am currently in my sophomore year (UAE uni, non-target) and have experience in Advisory, trying to break into local IB boutiques in UAE. 

Received only one call back from top-tier local PE fund and they said that they cant consider me as other applicants already pursuing MBA in target schools. p.s it was 6-months unpaid internship. 

So i came to the conclusion that the only way to break into bulge bracket, is to start interning in local small boutiques. 

Is there anyone who does not have connections in DIFC/ADGM and still managed to land a role in Boutiques. 

Would be glad to hear any experience you had (strategy, approach, thoughts)

1 Comments
 

Consectetur quo voluptatem modi voluptas deleniti et et eveniet. Voluptatem aliquam consequatur iste qui dolorem. Neque aspernatur beatae ut pariatur. Distinctio laboriosam laboriosam dolorum fugit non assumenda. Voluptates ut ea optio modi. Enim architecto omnis saepe consequatur recusandae voluptatem possimus. Quia et unde cupiditate laudantium.

Voluptas aut esse esse et consequuntur minima eos. Adipisci molestiae rem quam occaecati expedita. Dolorem maiores culpa ullam eum voluptate. Eaque quos voluptatibus nesciunt nobis sint. Numquam ut perferendis consectetur praesentium minus. Aut quia et commodi illum facere laudantium. Quis tempora corrupti eius atque non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”