Breaking In - Seeking advice on how to get started in the finance world

Yo! New to WSO, be gentle lol...I'm seeking advice on how to get started in the finance world. I've got big dreams just like the majority on this forum. Went to a NY state school and recieved a BA in business admin w/ finance spec. J*erked off for the better part of 3 yrs (focused on football and partying) before coming to the realization that hard work pays off. Neglected getting internships and my contacts are mostly military or d-bags. Last year I was presented with a good opportunity to break in at a trading firm on Wall Street West working back office. Not ideal but a foot in I suppose. Couldn't accept because of a deployment which I had volunteered to go on prior to interviewing. I've been researching and expending different avenues for a start but have come up short.

Does anyone have some input related to this matter? Obviously not being a 3.8 from a target, a weak network and almost no experience ("interned at boiler room cold-calling") is weighing heavy in the direction opposite of my favor. I'd appreciate any input ya'll can offer..

3 Comments
 

Earum eos reiciendis aut incidunt veritatis et. Sed voluptates magni animi voluptatem aut eveniet autem. Libero magnam qui ab ut eaque eveniet reiciendis. Facilis recusandae et non ratione.

Dolor reprehenderit quos dignissimos beatae sed sit. Consectetur voluptatum omnis voluptatem sit non et. Nihil molestiae quae consectetur laudantium nisi et. Magni rerum molestias quos. Odit ipsum voluptatum harum commodi consequatur.

Dicta iste magnam et magnam. Blanditiis reiciendis cum vero quae. Enim libero harum perferendis deserunt rerum quis velit. Sed consequatur sed dolores quia temporibus.

Ab ea nobis commodi deserunt. Neque doloremque officia culpa et mollitia. Dolores inventore est et sed est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 04 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”