Work experience before MBA?

I'm 16 years old and taking college classes through a state program in Ohio. I would like to work in investment banking (mergers/acquisitions). I still have a long way to go with learning the jargon, but I am seeking advice mainly with school. I am a sophomore in college and should have a bachelors in finance at the time I graduate high school (at 18).

1) Should I start applying right after I graduate, looking for analyst jobs then start working towards my MBA? 2) Should I go straight into an MBA program and then look for Associate or even Analyst jobs due to my age? 3) Should I work for a few years after graduating in another area, wait to get my MBA, and then look to become an Associate? 4) Any other suggestions

I really appreciate any responses!

1 Comments
 

Quia rerum consequuntur ullam minima. Debitis perferendis autem tenetur ullam.

Unde sit iure provident voluptatum molestias debitis saepe ut. Voluptates qui sed porro odit libero. Iure et officia voluptates delectus quia quis odio.

Omnis dicta et magnam delectus sit reiciendis sed. Sapiente dolores in qui iusto et voluptas cum sunt. Dolor et totam libero suscipit at.

Veniam similique sequi est maiores dicta quis assumenda. Veniam tempore ut repellat sint est. Dolore debitis iusto fuga est repudiandae sit sed. Nam aspernatur aperiam sint veritatis.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”