Common alternative path if Investment Banking doesen’t work out?

I just finished my freshman year at a semi-target school (3 out of 8 BB's recruit for their IBD). I'm attempting to do the right things. I'm getting good grades. I'm taking a finacial modeling course in my free time. I'm networking using school, fraternity, religious, and family connections in the IB world. I am preparing to take the SIE exam (the new pre-requesite for the series 7/79) this coming october. I am also currently interning for a boutique shop geting experience with mostly M&A and some capital advisory, altough at a smaller scale compared to the BB's of course. I know that despite this my chances are very, very slim. I want to have a second plan. I won't even call it a backup plan or plan B because I know that this (if i'm even lucky) will be my realistic path. I also don't want to be in complete devastation and shock when IB will probably not workout. What are some paths that students take when they don't make IB? If I am a freshman now, when should I be prepared to realize this? (I hope I don't sounds like some apathetic person who is unwilling to work for what it takes to break into IB. I just am a realist that wants to be prepared for all avenues in my future). Thanks for your advice!

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"Andrew T" I just finished my freshman year at a semi-target school (3 out of 8 BB’s recruit for their IBD). I’m attempting to do the right things. I’m getting good grades. I’m taking a finacial modeling course in my free time. I’m networking using school, fraternity, religious, and family connections in the IB world. I am preparing to take the SIE exam (the new pre-requesite for the series 7/79) this coming october. I am also currently interning for a boutique shop geting experience with mostly M&A and some capital advisory, altough at a smaller scale compared to the BB’s of course. I know that despite this my chances are very, very slim. I want to have a second plan. I won’t even call it a backup plan or plan B because I know that this (if i’m even lucky) will be my realistic path. I also don’t want to be in complete devastation and shock when IB will probably not workout. What are some paths that students take when they don’t make IB? If I am a freshman now, when should I be prepared to realize this? (I hope I don’t sounds like some apathetic person who is unwilling to work for what it takes to break into IB. I just am a realist that wants to be prepared for all avenues in my future). Thanks for your advice!

your first problem is that you will be in "complete devastation and shock when IB will probably not workout."

If you can fathom your worst nightmare, not working in IB, than you can fathom what you can do instead. Relax and keep working towards goals, short term, medium, and long term goals.

 

You're at a semi target, already networking, have an IB internship and think your chances are "slim"? Is this some attempt at gaining validation? Get out of here.

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