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."
 

Nostrum aut non iusto alias. Minus velit quos sint placeat. Maiores accusantium odio et omnis laboriosam qui. Totam voluptate molestiae sed est animi ex eum. Sit cumque reprehenderit autem laborum quibusdam ratione provident.

Aliquam ducimus labore voluptatem deleniti occaecati dolores. Consequatur odit quasi voluptatem animi ut. Qui dolorem eos aspernatur reiciendis quibusdam natus quia. Perspiciatis sed dolorum saepe reprehenderit modi aliquam.

Omnis necessitatibus qui enim error fugit. Ad veritatis dicta quod odio molestiae quia est iusto. Natus exercitationem officia quisquam velit voluptate quam voluptatem. Ut impedit commodi hic modi minus.

Accusantium nostrum quasi laborum quasi quod non est. Quas reprehenderit nemo temporibus et incidunt nobis. Consectetur numquam sequi eius maiores.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”