Yr 12 student here!!

Hi! I am full set on plan of doing bachelor of science in Monash (go8) and major in financial insurance maths. I am quite not interested in commerce but I am so interested in pursuing careers in finance. I know this may sound super dumb that i dont wanna do commerce but still interested in finance. Well it is what it is. I have been hearing that alot of finance also prefers STEM degrees and a really good grades in uni as well as internship. Can anyone provide an advice or anything on how to become an Investment banking or private equity. I am quite aware that it is super hard to break in and the cons of it. But i am dead ready to set my feet and reach to my objectives. If anyone could provide step by step on how to break into one of the careers or any advice that would be really appreciated! Please no mean comments, thank you :)

4 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a step-by-step guide to breaking into Investment Banking (IB) or Private Equity (PE) with a STEM background:

1. Academic Excellence

  • Maintain High Grades: Aim for top grades in your Bachelor of Science degree. High academic performance is crucial.
  • Relevant Coursework: Even though you're not majoring in commerce, take elective courses in finance, accounting, and economics if possible.

2. Skill Development

  • Financial Modeling: Enroll in financial modeling courses. WSO offers several, including:
    • Excel Modeling Course
    • Financial Statement Modeling
    • LBO Modeling Course
    • M&A Modeling Course
    • Valuation Modeling Course
  • Certifications: Consider pursuing certifications like CFA Level I to bolster your finance knowledge.

3. Internships

  • Early Internships: Start with internships in finance-related roles. Even if they are not directly in IB or PE, roles in corporate finance, financial analysis, or consulting can be valuable.
  • Targeted Internships: Aim for internships at investment banks or private equity firms. Use platforms like WSO to find opportunities and network.

4. Networking

  • Join Finance Clubs: Participate in finance or investment clubs at your university.
  • Attend Events: Go to finance-related events, workshops, and seminars.
  • Leverage LinkedIn: Connect with professionals in the industry. Reach out for informational interviews and advice.

5. Interview Preparation

  • Technical Skills: Prepare for technical questions related to financial modeling, valuation, and market analysis.
  • Behavioral Questions: Practice common behavioral interview questions. WSO offers interview prep courses that cover both technical and behavioral aspects.

6. Additional Resources

  • WSO Academy: Utilize resources from WSO Academy, such as the Investment Banking Interview Course and Private Equity Interview Course.
  • Resume Templates: Use WSO's Investment Banking Resume Template and Private Equity Resume Template to craft a professional resume.

7. Persistence and Adaptability

  • Stay Informed: Keep up with industry trends and news.
  • Be Flexible: Be open to starting in related roles and transitioning into IB or PE later.

Useful Links:

By following these steps and leveraging the resources available, you can increase your chances of breaking into Investment Banking or Private Equity, even with a STEM background. Good luck!

Sources: Recent grad, super lost. Can anyone give advice/help me choose between an MBA, JD, or MA?, Some advice on getting a job or internship by Monty09, Dear investment bankers: Would you befriend me? (advice needed, please), Starting my first IB internship in October: What advice can you give me?, 22 Year Old Failure Seeks Advice re: Breaking into Finance

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

Degree subject doesn’t matter as much as people tend to think, what matters more is your university degree. Fyi I’d improve on your writing skills, no offence this post was painfully difficult to read and this will hold you back if you manage to break in.

 

Est maiores dolores esse maiores omnis voluptas facilis. Id voluptas iste quia voluptas. Repudiandae minus amet repellendus est modi. Quisquam nam ut eos voluptatem maiores sapiente. Et non illum omnis iure eos dolor omnis recusandae.

Voluptas omnis dolore architecto aliquam soluta. Cumque et dolorem vel occaecati voluptatem voluptatem. Rerum voluptatem accusantium eveniet eveniet nostrum.

Voluptatem nihil fugit sit dicta at. Dolor est suscipit in ratione autem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”