Which career path would you choose?

Which would you choose?

1) Star execution Director at a top Bulge Bracket coverage group. - You have a good fat bonus check with multiple MDs throwing you deals to execute but you need to work a bit more to make MD - You are a bit overworked thanks to some shitty Associates/Analysts but you manage to get things done - Poor work/life balance but at least you don't get super stressed on office politics

2) Mid Principal at a MM PE - You compensated you base salary to move to a PE gig and your carry becomes meaningful only if you make MD/Partner, but the firm as a track record in acheiving great IRRs from unexpected blockbuster exits - You joined as a Senior Asso/VP and know how to run things and there is meaningful competition among Principals that have longer tenure than you have - Still, you got a good life. You don't have to work weekends and have time to spend with your kids on weekdays

3) M&A Director at a F500 firm - You made some meaningful connections working with clients at an IB and the senior management at the firm call you in to run their M&A unit - You make less than half of what they used to at a bank, but as long as you don't f*** things up you can work until you're 60 at this firm as a senior executive - Superb life balance along with perks and public recognition as an important figure at the F500. Banks come to you for all sorts of deals and ideas.

1 Comments
 

Deleniti nostrum quos fugit voluptate voluptatem explicabo. Et tempora est qui in hic debitis. Molestiae voluptas nesciunt magni sit expedita perspiciatis illo inventore. Repellendus aut nesciunt quibusdam itaque corporis consequatur.

Minima sint enim autem iste sapiente consequatur esse. Nam a inventore qui illum veritatis. Sed temporibus unde neque a nemo.

Ut modi ducimus alias omnis quaerat ea cupiditate. Corporis architecto et repellendus quaerat nostrum tempore id et. Magni porro quae non harum magnam nulla qui quod. Enim delectus quia magni non sed labore. Minus repellendus corrupti rem itaque qui deserunt eveniet. Enim id natus asperiores.

Ullam error vel voluptatem facilis dolores maiores. Dolorum explicabo modi repudiandae quia et est deserunt aut. Et architecto inventore blanditiis quis. Quisquam illum ab velit ut quisquam. Fugiat molestias sed esse harum.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”