IB Analyst vs WM Analyst Advice - just hear me out

Currently, I'm interning as a PWM analyst for a FA at a BB (think MS, BAML) with about $350m AUM. At the moment, I am pursuing two positions post graduation; one as an IB Analyst at a MM (think Piper Jaffray, WF, & Jefferies), and the other as a WM Analyst at a firm that only works with UHNW individuals.

For WM, I've got a solid story because it was my original plan, I enjoy the fact that it caters to my sociable nature (no I'm not implying that you talk to no one in IB), I've got some type of experience with this internship, and with WM I have more of a foot in the door.

On the other hand, I'm interested in IB because of potential exit opportunities and the fact that it makes me more of an asset (polished valuation & modeling skills - etc.).

To sum it all up, I guess I'm just conflicted because I'm torn between something that I'm comfortable with and something that I feel gives me greater career ops and possibly more money.

I'd just like to know if anyone has been in the same situation, or has experience in either field and can offer a little bit of advice. I don't really use WSO, so I apologize if I used incorrect acronyms in my post. Also, I don't care to be berated as I see people doing on other threads. I'm just seeking advice and if you don't have any - don't waste your time.

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Sounds like you like wealth management a lot. Do what you like, because you’ll probably do well. In most fields, money comes eventually to those that perform well. But the question should probably be stated as potential pe/hf vs wealth management. Seems like you’re not interested in ib at all. I would choose wealth management in your shoes, but I’m biased. I only went went for investment jobs, and didn’t care for ib.

 

I appreciate that. I know that I'm way too fixated on earnings, but I just want to set myself up for the best future possible. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you do in AM? Are you an analyst?

 

Fixed income analyst covering energy on the buyside. If you’re concerned about money, if you think you can be comfortable with peak earnings of $500k, then stick with wealth management. I’d imagine that that’s a pretty reasonable end goal once you’ve built up your book. If you want more, you might need to look elsewhere. But $500k in low cost of living is almost the same as $1-1.5 mil in nyc, probably. When you factor in taxes and much more expensive food, entertainment, and rent/house.

 

Repellat officia est accusantium sit et. Repellendus ut enim necessitatibus repellendus.

Ipsam praesentium neque ex a assumenda optio sapiente. Voluptatem ducimus est ut non est dolore incidunt est. Similique voluptatem adipisci commodi omnis facilis tempora. Aut et ipsa eum rerum beatae. Reiciendis dolores quidem dolorem et. Reiciendis porro sed ducimus perferendis sed nemo dignissimos dignissimos. Voluptates non voluptas quis officiis consequatur.

Dolor voluptas ut sed facere consequatur veritatis. Magni architecto nulla neque iure vero eius. Quia temporibus dolore ut fuga expedita quibusdam. Repudiandae impedit ex rerum enim.

Numquam perspiciatis nihil commodi veritatis dignissimos. Non similique saepe architecto quos deserunt omnis impedit nesciunt. Optio deserunt et voluptas quibusdam et. Ducimus quis distinctio quia labore sapiente aut fugiat repellat. Blanditiis consequatur ex explicabo quidem vel similique modi. Eligendi praesentium et enim aut officia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”