Advice on breaking into IB post-graduation

Background:

I graduated from a target with a 3.6 GPA in 2023. Recruited for IB during sophomore spring/junior fall, made multiple superdays but ended with zero offers. Ended up as a SWE intern during junior summer and has worked as a SWE most recently (small company).

I haven't enjoyed my FT work as of late, and I'm looking to break into IB at some capacities (aiming for regional and micro boutiques). Although I haven't had SA experience, I have full demonstrated interest in finance along with a PE internship sophomore summer. I would equate my finance-only experiences as someone recruiting for SA roles. Unfortunately, alums at my school are largely concentrated in bigger shops (BB, MM, EB, etc) and breaking into these places aren't very realistic for my current situation.

I want to evaluate the feasibility of entering IB either as an intern or FT at this current stage. If not, what other roles should I be looking at?

1 Comments
 

Nostrum voluptatum nobis ab perspiciatis ut maxime. Ipsa dolores modi nobis esse quibusdam aut dolorum.

Enim facilis aut cum et. Accusantium dicta accusantium laudantium quia voluptatem magnam iste. Ab et cumque consequatur dignissimos aut aut temporibus. Iure porro harum temporibus non architecto omnis. Ad voluptate distinctio soluta vero et sit sed animi.

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

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 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 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 (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”