I'm an upcoming sophomore and have a question regarding the best topics and content to study to break into investment banking. Does anyone have any recommendations and websites to help with this process? I have started reading multiple books and diving into the 400 guide. I also discovered a site called IBVine, which has been super helpful. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some recommendations for what to study during your freshman summer to break into investment banking:
Finance Courses and Guides:
Reading Material:
Networking:
Internships and Work Experience:
Additional Resources:
By focusing on these areas, you'll be well-prepared and positioned for future opportunities in investment banking.
Sources: Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, As a freshman what should I be doing?, To All Freshman and Sophomores, Banks that offer summer internships to Freshman?, 5 Steps To Becoming A Rockstar Freshman (Undergrad Advice)
BUMP
Touch grass; reconsider IB altogether. That’s what I wish I did.
What do you wish you had done instead?
Tough to say. I’m only one year in so my take is probably not the one you should take to heart.
Would’ve said tech two years ago but that party looks to be over / ending.
Banking is a grind, and I don’t think you can truly appreciate that sentiment until you are living in it.
My personal relationships have suffered, my health has suffered, my mental well being is at an all-time low, but my bank account and savings are in good shape.
Is is worth it? I don’t know.
The reality is that what you actually believe this job is (or what I believed it was) doesn’t actually materialize until you are very senior, ex. Director, MD. The slog is potentially 20+ years and by then you have given up a lot of your life to this career, basically foregoing all semblance of a “normal life” for financial “freedom”.
I don’t know, hopefully someone with more insight / experience can be more helpful.
The technicals don't take that long to learn, maybe a few weeks. This is your last free summer until you retire so I would mostly enjoy the time off.. networking and recruiting will start quickly in soph year so take a break while you can
Live as you go, bro.
If you wait for retirement to finally enjoy life, you’ll be dead before you know it.
I mean a 2 week vacation to do something fun is just fundamentally different than having 8-12 weeks with zero on your plate. OP should enjoy it
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