What is the best route into investment banking after uni?

What jobs would have a better chance of getting into investment banking. In case I don't get into IBD straight after uni, what job should I apply for? Risk and then move to FO later? Sales and trading? What job is on your mind? 

5 Comments
 

I mean S&T is around the same level as competitive as IBD and is also front office so i have no idea why someone would apply to that with the hopes of lateralling into IBD. Generally a master's would be the go to or maybe big 4.

 

Thanks. I am getting a masters (non-mba) at a higher ranking university. Although people have told me that there is a different set of ranking for postgrad rankings and I won't have a chance anyway. When you mean big 4, do you mean accounting or consulting, because I was also told that accounting in an investment bank is a back office job and that there are very little exit opps for back office. Can someone shine light on this?

 

Thank you. I'm a CIMA student (management accountant equivalent of ACA) so I can get that qualification in under a year post graduation. Do you mean to say I will be able to move into an investment bank to work in the back office? My question was targeted for a move into IBD

 

Dolorem debitis sit amet sit. Iste nihil ut corporis optio voluptatum. Quos qui perferendis quidem fuga debitis fugit ullam.

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%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 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 (79) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”