How to start?

Hi everyone,

I'm still in high school, based in Serbia, and I'm dead set on working in Investment Banking on Wall Street one day. I know how that sounds coming from someone in Eastern Europe with zero connections in finance, but I'm serious about it and want to start doing the right things now before I even get to university.

I'm planning to enroll in an Economics or Finance faculty, either here in Serbia or abroad if I can make it work. I don't come from a wealthy family or have any industry contacts, so I'm basically starting from zero.

A few things I'd love to get some input on:

What university would actually give me a realistic shot at IB? I'm open to anything, local or international, just want honest opinions not the typical "go to target school" without any context for someone in my situation.

What should I actually be doing right now while still in high school? Reading, certifications, anything that moves the needle.

Is anyone open to a quick chat? Even 15 minutes would mean a lot. I just want to talk to someone who's been through it and get a real picture of what this path looks like.

I'm hungry to learn and not afraid of hard work. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks