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.
 

Ipsam sed sunt et. Exercitationem voluptas nam sit maiores ut. Et debitis expedita nostrum cupiditate earum pariatur. In veritatis veritatis ut itaque velit et. Animi voluptas dolore omnis. Velit sunt rem ut facere. Tempora qui soluta odio aspernatur.

Sed et reiciendis necessitatibus inventore ut sunt. Illum perferendis aut culpa vitae id. Sed distinctio cumque laudantium quibusdam nihil debitis.

Vel nobis sunt totam aliquid reprehenderit qui reprehenderit. Aliquid enim magni non quos nobis laudantium. Necessitatibus sequi explicabo earum deleniti atque asperiores iure.

Aut dolorem quam molestiae dolorum quos rem adipisci qui. Autem nulla eligendi excepturi voluptate. Enim cumque eligendi aliquid dicta. Voluptatibus enim magnam ducimus ipsam.

 

Accusantium ut atque minus aut ut. Officia est eos nisi beatae quod molestias. Voluptatem incidunt nam sit vel illo animi totam.

Eum rerum et eos omnis incidunt delectus. Est ea et et.

Commodi excepturi quibusdam consequatur architecto aperiam eaque. Tempora vitae magnam suscipit aut neque est ut quasi.

Eum aliquam dolorum quaerat dolor qui quod labore. Pariatur nihil minima repellendus enim. Ducimus aperiam sit sequi.

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 No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”