Do I give up on investment banking for the short term?

Merry Christmas! Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's not uncommon for individuals to pivot into investment banking from various backgrounds, and your internships show a strong foundation in relevant financial sectors. Here's a breakdown of your situation and some considerations:

• GPA: While a 3.4 GPA from a non-target school might not be the most competitive, it's not a deal-breaker. It's more about how you frame your experiences and skills.
• Internships: You have a diverse set of internships, which is great. The IB internship at a boutique MM is particularly valuable, as is the buy-side M&A experience.
• Current Market: If IB postings are scarce and highly competitive, it might be wise to gain more experience elsewhere while continuing to network and build your profile for IB.

Considering a short-term role in consulting could be beneficial as it: - Enhances your analytical and problem-solving skills. - Expands your professional network. - Provides a broader business perspective that can be valuable in IB.

It's important to keep networking within the IB community and perhaps target smaller boutiques where your diverse internships and hands-on experience might be more valued. This approach can keep the door open for a transition back to IB when the market is more favorable.

Remember, the path to investment banking isn't always linear. Many have successfully transitioned into IB from other fields, so a strategic stint in consulting could indeed be a stepping stone rather than a setback.

If you need more detailed advice on how to navigate this transition or how to leverage your experience in consulting as a springboard back into IB, feel free to ask. Keep swinging through those vines, and you'll find the right branch to launch your IB career!

Sources: I don't know if investment banking is right for me anymore, Does it matter what B-school I attend for investment banking?, As my username suggests, not sure what to do..., Not sure what to do at this point, Questioning my decision to go into finance. Why did you pursue banking? Legitimate answers please.