What do you think of my answer to “why investment banking?” Am looking for feedback.

This is my answer, please let me know if you think I should change something. Thank you:).

After speaking to some people I knew who worked in investment banking, I learned over time that investment banking is an area that gives you a broader understanding of the core decision-making company executives do for their company, and when seeking some of the services an investment bank provides. I knew from my experience not knowing the next step to take as an executive of my first start-up, decision making from a financial perspective is really important to understand for the future of your company. I then found investment banking as a career choice I wanted to enter as it is the best way to learn the importance of understanding the quantitative decisions an executive must make when either seeking an investment bank’s services or when making decisions to run their business. I really got hooked on the idea of being part of the advisory side of a company so I can better understand why companies and executives make certain decisions.

I am also attracted to the fact that investment banking is a relationship-building industry, and business often relies upon networks. You see this often where managing directors will help bring the firm more business through diving into their personal network. Being a team player who is highly social, and values networking and maintaining relationships I really see myself taking advantage of this skill when it comes time to enter a leadership role as an investment banker.

I have also demonstrated my interest in investment banking through working at a private equity firm in my junior year where I could gain similar exposure to investment banking but from the perspective of a buyer within the buyout team. Within that role, I had the chance to work closely with senior analysts when providing due diligence for a buyout. I really enjoyed my experience and I want to now transition to the sell-side where I work on advising these transactions.

7 Comments
 

Way too long. I slept, woke up, and still couldn't finish reading your post. Imagine listening to it in an interview setting? 🤡

Sorry if I sound like an ass, my MD's been riding me like a rodeo show lately. At this point, my answer to Why Investment Banking is, "geez mom... I don't know. Can I get some quick sleep before I get staffed on yet another bake off?"

 

Quo deleniti reiciendis architecto optio vel ex itaque. Culpa quis nihil incidunt eius nihil. Quidem ipsum odio eum quod incidunt quia. Eligendi nobis maxime culpa quaerat.

Et vitae quo nobis earum amet explicabo. Explicabo occaecati corrupti libero aut explicabo eos.

Blanditiis quo consequuntur eveniet nobis nobis quasi. Assumenda ducimus odio tenetur aut nihil placeat. Atque non sequi quasi autem repellendus. Voluptas natus incidunt in eos quasi voluptas. Quo qui quod et earum quia. Debitis consequatur dolores iste.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”