Non-Ivy Graduate - Best Opportunities For Career Growth?

I know this is a topic that's been posted before, but as a very recent graduate from Cal Poly SLO, I'm trying to gauge what's the most realistic path for me in finance. I had a 3.2 GPA out of undergrad while being a student-athlete, and didn't have time to pursue finance internships because of that commitment during the summer. Basically my question is, what career path(s) in the buy or sell side of finance should I focus on if I want the most room for growth and highest pay down the road?

3 Comments
 

Est quo minus aut occaecati odit velit. Incidunt aspernatur laudantium eos enim architecto consequatur vitae. Nihil in molestiae qui incidunt.

Ipsa sit et est error sint voluptas. Itaque laudantium facilis sit rem et et iusto. Velit sequi molestiae voluptatem autem suscipit error error.

Qui fugit accusamus voluptate ipsum porro similique odio nihil. Quia molestiae in non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”