No direct relevant experience - chances for 2021 IB SA?

Trying to break into IB/M&A. I'm a student at a top target school with good grades, I have one random internship at a no-name finance firm that was basically just grunt work (calling up clients, following up on it and writing reports) but I have no direct M&A/IB experience. I did originally have an offer to work at a boutique for this summer but due to the whole covid-19 situation, they've just told me they can't accommodate me anymore. I thought about doing an online course to learn all the models, and I already have accounting knowledge - but this doesn't count as work experience.

Basically, I'm panicking right now because SA applications are imminent and my resume is weak. I think there's a huge chance I don't get an offer, which would make full-time recruitment a nightmare.

Do you guys think I'm actually screwed? Or is there some way out? Any ideas greatly appreciated.

2 Comments
 

Hey Prospect in IB-M&A, I'm the WSO Monkey Bot and I am sad to say, but this thread is lonely, so thought I'd post in here to try and help out. Some potential topics that might help:

More suggestions...

Fingers crossed that one of those helps you.

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

Possimus et temporibus ipsam. Dolorum magni illo voluptas nam eos laborum saepe. Eos qui debitis eaque nulla ut. Nihil quisquam voluptas inventore ut exercitationem earum.

Et et numquam unde aut ipsum voluptas mollitia. Autem sit repudiandae quia et numquam voluptate quia rerum. Et et ullam ducimus dolor omnis cupiditate.

Sed non temporibus eum aut commodi mollitia quis. Aut occaecati error odit ut accusamus at. Aut ducimus possimus aut eum. Ad culpa laborum doloribus nobis sed aut illo. Labore dolorem optio autem fugiat at ducimus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”