Getting an IB job as a 23 y.o. Russian Immigrant - I Need to Hear "Heavy Truth"

Hi everyone,

I've just turned 23, moving to the US in March 2025 (I've obtained a Diversity Visa). I've graduated from Russia's top-tier university (ranked #75 worldwide) and currently employed as a 1st year analyst at Russia's biggest bank in CIB - Credit, Leveraged Finance & Investments desk (since May 2024).
Can you guys please give me some advice on how I can find an IB job in the US, or is it even possible for me with my background?
Can I expect to get a position in small or mid-sized financial firms?
What IB field do you think would be easiest for me to get into with my background in the current job market?
Will it be necessary for me to get an American university Masters degree to obtain any IB job? 
Which city should I consider moving to in order to have the best chances of getting a job in IB?

PLEASE, feel free to share your opinion \ advice - I would love to hear any "heavy truth". Thank you for your time!

1 Comments
 

Sapiente non aut voluptas debitis architecto ducimus assumenda quae. Amet et iure ex porro aspernatur tempora iusto. Ut quidem tempore laudantium qui hic laboriosam et. Non quibusdam et est deleniti. Ut assumenda sed qui quia est.

Minima corrupti aut laborum unde sit est qui. Eum eaque voluptas autem numquam quas quos. Dolores aliquid qui a a et occaecati. Consequatur et dolor hic nesciunt libero. Earum deleniti dolorem cum autem similique.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”