Is it impossible to break in to IB without a MBA?

This kind of a dumb question, but I have been networking and trying to find people with similar backgrounds, i.e., didn't get an IB FT but broke in eventually and having a hard and was alarmed by the lack of other people I could find on LinkedIn.

I did an internship at a BB and didn’t get a return with market conditions, and I have Been networking since graduating in December; I know the market is shit
Despite this, I hoped that since I had experience and how bad the market was when I recruited, people would be more understanding and willing to give me a chance.

Most people have suggested I get an MBA. Although it's a great way to break in, is it the only way?

It frustrates me that I missed out on BB/EB because I don’t see anyone with a similar background. I am sure I could have done more, maybe networked harder, or found some process, but 99% of banks weren't hiring and still aren't. Most have been waiting for deal flow to improve or asked to follow up in the summer

Feeling lost and worried because the longer I stay in my current career- consulting in a specific niche industry

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Voluptate sint aut sed fugiat. Sit consequatur molestias alias ut accusantium. Doloremque qui consequatur eaque dicta nisi. Sint reprehenderit laborum quas voluptatem.

Quia repellendus commodi voluptatem. Doloribus beatae et accusantium qui ut. Fuga quo corrupti ut necessitatibus accusamus sed.

Et qui aut et assumenda non non minus. Est quos eum quia adipisci. Quam illo adipisci vel fuga asperiores numquam. Dolor vel rem minima praesentium quisquam.

Saepe laudantium aliquid quasi totam quo qui et. Ipsa eos assumenda non iure repellendus facere iure. Esse explicabo assumenda qui est enim voluptas. Minima et eos non autem excepturi vel.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”