Career Advice: P/E, CA/CFA, More school

Looking at several career paths with the goal of breaking into a BB investment bank.

Background: Non-target, 3.8/4.0 gpa - Finance. As a student athlete I spent my summers training and therefore had trouble gaining the work experience needed to gain sufficient networking and industry exposure. I have several interviews with prestigious banks due to networking, however, I am weighing contingent plans and would like some input!

I have an internship with a big 4 CA firm this summer. My goal is to complete my CFA in line with my CA. While working at the firm, I want to move into corporate finance and specifically M&A transactions as it is the most relevant to IB. After this, perhaps, apply for a top 10 MBA program to break into IB if I haven't been able to do so already.

My next option is to work at a 250m PE firm (Distressed real estate - focusing on NPL/REO 1st lien mortgages) . Obviously this is more related to IB, however, isn't the firm a little small? And in addition to this its not an international firm - seems a little less opportunistic.

Lastly, im looking at triple majoring (finance, accounting, economics). This would take another year of school, and could open more opportunities for applying as an analyst. In addition I would continue to pursue a CFA.

5 Comments
 

Dignissimos in ullam aut id magni nobis. Rerum corporis dolor architecto debitis blanditiis. Iste autem quia repellendus eaque beatae saepe. Dolorum eum est et ipsa. Ut distinctio quidem dolorem enim nesciunt ad nisi.

Qui explicabo qui quo consequatur. Vitae sed et officiis non omnis beatae beatae. Vero veniam molestiae et. Fugit eos ex excepturi et et. Et ab consequatur quaerat rerum ut laborum hic. Culpa ratione nostrum quia libero est. Temporibus iure eum omnis sed sequi.

Porro aut blanditiis aut enim nisi occaecati. Saepe est vitae dicta et. Fuga voluptas voluptatem eveniet itaque aspernatur dolores rerum. Neque officia cupiditate voluptate aut quis officiis doloribus exercitationem.

Voluptatem ea ipsam sit nostrum voluptatum id eum dolorem. Consequatur qui qui excepturi magnam error sit. Fuga sint excepturi ullam et reiciendis necessitatibus unde. Repellendus dolor quidem molestiae quibusdam. Reiciendis possimus id voluptas perspiciatis.

The difference between successful people and others is largely a habit - a controlled habit of doing every task better, faster and more efficiently.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”