What non-IB/HF/PE/S&T/ER job would you take?

My perspective is a little skewed as I have a corporate finance background, but having read these forums for a bit, it's obvious that not everyone will end up on that traditional high finance path, for whatever reason (shrinking industry, competition, etc).

So where do the ones who don't get the opportunities end up? What careers would you seek if you just never caught that break in IB or ER? Anything else nearly as appealing for finance geeks? Anything else you'd consider doing in Finance? Or a different field? Just curious

23 Comments
 
Best Response

If it's not IBD, it's the homeless shelter for me. Or teaching English in China.

On a more serious note (albeit only slightly...), I'd take a corporate finance gig at any F500 or a startup. Shit, I'd take a scholarship to go study somewhere (fat chance). Since I'm still young and don't have to worry about a baby momma and said baby, I'm simply looking for what may yield the best opportunities for career development.

in it 2 win it
 

Ninja. No doubt. Or Id try out for navy EOD. Those guys most of all of the training of the seals (jumping out of planes, scuba diving etc) PLUS its only a 4 year commitment as opposed to 6. And you dont have to not sleep for 5 days straight.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Schopenhauer
 
seabirdAnd you dont have to not sleep for 5 days straight.

I could have sworn that was on the list of challenges they have to complete...

in it 2 win it
 

Seals yes - EOD no. Ninjas, I wouldn't know.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Schopenhauer
 

Bro I'd try to get a sprite sponsorship... I can do all the tricks

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
 

Blanditiis doloribus aut explicabo et dignissimos dolor consequatur dolores. Asperiores nam id voluptatem assumenda. Ut minima rerum id et error inventore minus. Consequuntur veritatis aperiam vero ullam. Hic aliquam suscipit et voluptatem praesentium tempora. Doloremque explicabo totam enim aperiam harum dolor. Voluptatem est ut totam reiciendis adipisci delectus.

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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”