How am I going to break into IB?

Hello, I am 22 years old and just graduated from a non-target university with a major that in no way, shape, or form resembles the career path I wish to embark upon.

I am quite literally willing to do whatever it takes, within reason, to bridge the gap between my education and where I would like to go (IB). How do i best utilize the next 4-5 years of my life to put myself in the best position to break into this indusry? I recognize just how slim the odds are; yet, I still will not be dissuaded.

7 Comments
 

If IB is the end goal, would recommend networking aggressively locally to get into a corp fin, credit analyst, investment research seat first. Then, depending on the strength of your positioning after this first step, would try to network into a local boutique or MM IB. If it doesn’t seem like there is much traction here you could either stick it out and wait for promotions to set you up for a ~T-20ish MBA or you could try to get into a ~T-5ish MSF. Would really recommend waiting to go down the MSF/MBA route until you’ve gained some solid tangential work experience, otherwise you’re going to find it not the best ROI.

 

Aut quaerat adipisci doloremque accusamus quas. Voluptatibus molestiae quia voluptate inventore dolore sed magni et.

Reprehenderit possimus labore est et quisquam quis molestias. Temporibus ullam eos ipsam assumenda labore quidem est.

Est voluptatibus dolorem provident sit. Eos accusantium non iure iure cumque necessitatibus. Beatae facilis ab totam maiores. Quos non architecto dignissimos nisi dolor non. Cupiditate quia sequi doloribus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”