Data Science student trying to understand what industry and companies to pursue

Current junior studying data science at a top 15 university for data science (CS program is elite, so the data science program seems to have a good reputation by osmosis, average starting salary of new grads and internship placement would suggest this as well). > 3.7 GPA in college and generally pretty smart (98th percentile standardized scores throughout high school and can articulate and understand some complex statistical and math concepts at least somewhat well). I have very little experience and information about the finance industry and am wondering advice on what type of career would be best suited for me and what companies would I have a real shot at getting an internship and FT offer at. I read very consistently (mainly history, cognitive psychology, some stats - favorite books are The Black Swan, Thinking Fast and Slow, Blink for general feel of what I read) and like to self-teach myself a variety of subjects so I feel like I satisfy the intellectually curious component of these types of industries which seems to be a necessity. I have some professional experience through my university so it's not like my resume is completely bare bones, but I have no illusions that I would most likely have to do well on interviews to compensate for less experience than most candidates. I am Midwest based, so I'm assuming that Chicago would be my best chance. Any advice would be appreciated.

2 Comments
 

Ex quia dolor tempora et dignissimos occaecati at. Aut explicabo placeat dolorem et numquam minus voluptates cupiditate. Voluptatem numquam velit et tempora qui occaecati voluptatem optio. Et sit ipsa distinctio nulla.

Magni molestiae mollitia totam est aut qui. Labore voluptatem et omnis doloremque et non.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
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

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 No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”