Best forward-looking skill set ?

Monkeys,

I am in my 2nd year of undergrad and a bit lost. Signed IB SA 22&23 offers and originally wanted to go down a PE/investing career path. I recently came to a realization that being an analyst doesn’t really provide you with material/hard skills like a software engineer, doctor, electrician, etc.

My parents, both immigrants from Eastern Europe, wanted me to go into the trades. I laughed and thought I was above that career until I learned that some tradespeople who own their businesses get bought out by PE funds and receive 25-250mm cash. These people have value. I guess mom and dad were right after all 😂

I understand that IB/PE will give me some business-sense and knowledge to raise capital, but I want to develop a specific, hard skill set that is in-demand, has great outlook, and would allow me to start my own businesses/carve out my own path eventually.

Something to do with computers/software/coding would probably be the place to start, but what would be best to specialize in specifically, i.e. machine learning, data science, etc.?

1 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Molestiae et necessitatibus qui quaerat natus. Fugiat consequuntur porro non sunt numquam temporibus. Veritatis assumenda aut sapiente iste. Repellendus accusantium aperiam tenetur illum velit aut assumenda. Ut voluptatum qui ut incidunt pariatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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
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...”