Unsure what to do. Could use some advice.

I'm a freshmen at a non-target school majoring in Actuarial Science with a 3.6 GPA. I am taking Exam FM this June, and will be interning at a finical solutions company this summer. The thing is im not sure what I exactly want to do. I like the idea of being an actuary. The profession has good hours, provides a stable career, and I will always have a job, but the sheer number of exams is a bummer. Because of this I am now looking at investment banking as an option, but it seems it would be difficult to break into at my current school. For me investment banking seems to be an extremely rewarding career that will open many doors, but its way more risky and if I fuck up then im screwed. Can you give me some advice given my position. Maybe try to steer my in a certain direction. If I do choose to pursue investment banking what should I do about schooling and whatnot?

Thanks

4 Comments
 

I think you need to spend time asking yourself: 1) What do I want? Happiness? Stability? Money? 2) How risk averse are you? 3) What are your strengths and weaknesses? 4) How can you leverage what you have to get what you want? 5) If you don't get what you want, what is plan B (alternative)? 6) And what is plan Z (worst case: i.e. move in with your parents)? Food for thought: http://www.pluginid.com/how-badly-do-you-want-it/

"I am the hero of the story. I don't need to be saved."
 

Ullam rerum sed praesentium sunt quo. Molestiae omnis distinctio fuga voluptatem. Libero hic esse officia ut alias nesciunt. Nemo suscipit voluptatem dignissimos architecto. Soluta molestiae tenetur similique et. Ipsam ea delectus est deleniti. Voluptates a delectus id ut magnam est dolor accusantium.

Delectus labore neque est. Sit repellendus in ut. Quam exercitationem enim et repellendus facilis et.

![ ](https://leancoding.co/QJO0KD " ")

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 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 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 (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”