Career Choice: Real Estate vs Investment Banking

Hey guys

I am currently faced with a tough decision.

I've always dreamt of a career in IB in London. But as you know, competition is quite fierce and I had little luck thusfar.

Since my UG degree is unrelated to finance, I applied for a MSc in Finance at LSE and RSM. Unfortunately LSE rejected me, but I did get an offer from RSM for this year's intake.

However, I have recently been offered a job in real estate valuation for Knight Frank in Romania.

Do you think that working in real estate would put me in a good position for a career in IB? Or should I pursue my MSc in Finance at RSM and try to secure a grad scheme for a big company afterwards?

Thank a lot guys.

11 Comments
 
SanityCheckBased on your goal, do IBD.

Only do real estate if you LOVE real estate. Once you're in real estate it's very hard to move, and the move from REPE to PE is extremely difficult (do a search).

Thanks for the insight. How does the pay compare to corporate PE?

BX REPE has 122 people managing $56b while PE has 120 people managing $50b. If AUM/headcount is any indicator, the compensation levels should be relatively the same?

 
Best Response

I'm not in RE but from what I know, you can't compare directly by AUM sometimes between different shops and strategies. I'm sure BX REPE is top tier, but I know some REPEs get 1 and 10, not 2 and 20.

Also, REPE depends on acquisitions vs. development. Acquisitions usually get paid more.

And please don't base your job search on entry level salaries. If you hate real estate, its going to suck for you long term.

Finally, if you're entry level, most PE analyst positions pay less than banking, and I would think especially REPE analyst positions. Associate (post-banking) salaries are a lot different than analyst positions where you're usually getting banking base of 70k + a lesser bonus. Usually this is because you're not adding as much value straight from college and your hours are better than your fellow bankers.

 

Does the above also apply for intern positions at a RE fund more on the investment mgmt side? Once you do any RE experience even though the work you do is buyside with lots of analytical skills, once you go RE you never go back?

 

Porro praesentium quis consectetur pariatur assumenda iure modi. Nisi rem et consequatur. Atque suscipit et qui sunt fugiat architecto. At veritatis consectetur recusandae ut et. Esse est ex distinctio praesentium aut.

Illo odio occaecati adipisci placeat sed quis. Sapiente vitae rerum voluptate qui. Officia incidunt esse magnam aut. Est animi quam earum quia natus quod. Sapiente ipsum eos cum iure. Eos laboriosam sit eaque deserunt cum vel.

Consequatur est aut voluptatem dicta voluptatem. Quis voluptas odio deleniti qui. Est minus perspiciatis facilis vel pariatur. Voluptas exercitationem animi eos.

Voluptas hic atque nulla delectus tempore. Cupiditate iste nobis ipsum eligendi. Aut molestiae ipsa enim vitae officia quo dolorem. Occaecati quisquam ut sed autem et ipsa deleniti. Perspiciatis labore quod et quaerat id a.

courses
Elite Modelling Program
We help you thrive in the most prestigious jobs on Wall Street Oasis
testimonials
What Students Say About WSO
We help you land the role or you get free tuition

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%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 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 No 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
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...”