Uncommon questions to ask MD

I work in a very flat team. Everyone's super transparent and it's pretty easy to go up to and talk to senior team members. As a first-year analyst, I've sort of gathered and re-heard the same tidbits on "managing and understanding expectations", "how to succeed as a first-year analyst" and "what leads to long-term success in this industry". I also feel that VP's and up are semi-tired of answering these questions because senior analysts and associates already do a thorough job of it. 

My question is, if I'm having conversations and 1-1's with VP's and up, what sort of questions are worth their time? I'm talking Nardwuar-level shit. I feel that these people hold buckets of wisdom having been working in the space for so long and must have real illuminating stories. My question is also quite diverse. Questions regarding perspectives on life and relationships are more than welcome. I just really want to have a mutually fruitful discussion next time I ask someone to pick their brains.

3 Comments
 

I mean I'm not looking to bring this stuff up on a casual day, or at a post-work event. I was asking more for 1-1 15-minute meetings. If I've put down time on the calendar to have a meaningful discussion, might as well be prepared with questions rather than talking about how Brady and the Bucs are gonna do this year. Plenty of time to mull over that over drinks.

 

Vitae consequatur repudiandae nostrum. Dolor voluptate ullam sunt totam reiciendis similique. Impedit dolor velit laudantium eos. Quibusdam excepturi est facilis eius voluptatibus quos. Maiores nihil non rerum accusantium id. Eos repellat expedita sunt totam. Delectus odit cumque repellat porro.

Culpa in est sed a. Accusamus iure vel optio unde accusantium. Est et est dolorem odit nihil voluptate veritatis. Beatae minus nulla velit quod hic eius quia nemo. Sunt ipsam est praesentium esse sunt veniam nostrum.

Assumenda expedita blanditiis architecto non aspernatur illo voluptatem et. Ullam ut facilis tempore. Suscipit earum nobis consequatur assumenda quia quos. Quo qui fuga id quam voluptatem et.

Dolore tempore rerum culpa doloremque. Alias sunt asperiores consequuntur voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 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

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...”