Career Choice in Finance - Please Advise

Hi monkeys, I'm a first year entry-level analyst from a non-target school at my company (doing risk, not IBD or consulting) and I'm still trying to figure out what my ultimate position and job would be in the financial services. ***Before I begin I'd like to make clear that I am fully aware that I have just started and have a lot to learn and grow and that getting an MBA will further help me in terms of recruiting and career in general, so please try to advise based on that.

Speaking with numerous individuals and reading here in the forum, one of the most popular pieces of advice is to basically try new and several things (as there are a lot in finance) and then stick with what you like.

From my experience working at my company, I realize that I don't like some aspects of my job; it's pretty mundane - running reports, crunching numbers in Excel, and reporting to the seniors & my supervisor for them to use the data. I feel quite constrained and bored to be honest - at least this is how things are at my company. I feel that I'd definitely like to do something more interactive, with action, and rewarding. I'd like to use data and numbers as a means to an end and not the end in itself.

The way I imagine my future career, which I think I want it to be in Real Estate/M&A (and yes, it'll probably be more in senior/upper levels), is using data, arriving at an assumption, possibility, or even a conclusion, meeting with a client and negotiating, using the company's money to close a deal, and making a nice commission - sort of like an middleman between my company and prospect client. There is the raw side of things: data, numbers, charts, etc.; there is the passion and challenge; there is the interaction with people and more action in general; there is negotiation; and there is reward.

Based on what I've described, what would you say suit me? I've gone over WSO's job description if that helps. I know I don't enjoy just plugging and crunching numbers, I am not too passionate about trading and investing, and I'm definitely not interested in sitting with clients and working on their assets/pension plans/insurance.

***I still think that going through the IB/IBD and/or consulting experience is quite necessary regardless of my ultimate role and job in finance.

 

Neque repellat odio illum id in. Nobis aut laborum aut voluptas voluptatem. Maxime illo in enim sapiente ea eaque. Expedita omnis assumenda quam dicta expedita voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”