Any advice for a recent graduate?

I am about to graduate from a reputable university in Canada (McMaster University) with an Honours BCom degree (specializing in Finance), and I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for a recent graduate looking to get into the industry? I specifically have an interest in IB, PE, VC, AM & ER, though I am open to looking at different fields.

I also have questions regarding skills that would make my resume stand out? I consider myself proficient in Excel & financial modelling (taken two courses in financial modelling specifically and earned an A+ and an A, respectively). I was also fortunate that at my school, we had licenses in Bloomberg Terminal and Reuters Eikon/Refinitiv, so I utilized this and have become familiar with both (mostly Refinitiv). I have also taken two classes on financial statement analysis & valuation (for which is received an A in both) and I have been familiar with fundamental analysis & valuation models (DCF, COMPS & Precedent Transactions). I personally really enjoyed the valuation courses the most, and I know that the application of these skills is different in the professional environment compared to the academic environment, but I hope that these could help me stand out.

I appreciate any advice/guidance you would be able to give me! :)

3 Comments
 

What were your internships?

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I was in an internship program at my school and was looking for an internship at the end of the semester last year & in the summer, however, I couldn't find a position. So I never did an internship.

 

Minima vero modi dolorem ipsa. Sed quia repudiandae vel provident.

Rerum voluptatibus labore vitae. Id aliquid corporis consequatur minima. Blanditiis consequatur fuga in porro earum dolorum.

Id neque quo maxime ipsa impedit. Deleniti voluptatum autem qui excepturi. Necessitatibus quibusdam et fugiat et recusandae eveniet ab.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”