Trending Content - Job Search Advice Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
October 31, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
Seen a few 28-30 dudes break in as analyst 1.
Don’t listen to teenagers, if you want it, keep fighting for it. Worst case, do business school and break in as the dumb MBA associate.
Good to know. Used to hearing early twenty-somethings being typical age of entry but seems not always. Getting after it! Thanks
Had a 37-year-old first-year analyst in my old group (top BB). The person had never finished college and went back to undergrad after years of work experience.
It's always possible, especially if you can still pull the MBA trigger
Some insights from Europe:
It varies a lot. UK bankers tend to (on average) be 21-24 whereas European bankers are (on average) 22-25. As always, there will of course be people that are 25+ which is completely fine. I am 26 and started as an Analyst last year
Would love to learn about your career path
It varies. I would say as a lateral, you see people breaking in their mid 20s late 20s as analysts, and early 30s as post MBA associates
Not banking but I started at McK at 28. Context: European, did the typica bachelors (3 years) + masters (2 years) but also did one gap year for internships.
I also did not start to study directly after high school but did some volunteering / social service.
Usual age is 20-22 to start out. Anything later and you’re going to get weird looks from people at your firm.
This is how you spot unemployed folks who have never been in industry. Making it too easy.
I wish it weren't the case - people will judge you by your age just like they will judge you by your looks.
I’m not in IB but I’ve talked to senior people in IB about this regarding starting age and they said as long as you aren’t 40yrs old entering as analyst msot don’t care and you shouldn’t care about what people think too, everyone has a different timeline. I know people who start in ER 3-4yrs after college.
Yeah starting out as an analyst at age 40 is pretty wild. Don’t see that too often.
I did a BB internship when I was 19 and will join FT when I am 20. I saw a range of 21-26 in my class. (London)
Nam numquam quia sunt qui. Soluta nihil reprehenderit maiores qui sit. Assumenda laudantium tempore voluptatibus quia voluptas. Perferendis natus reiciendis modi cumque enim velit.
Hic dicta velit ea iusto vero id. Aut quo odio molestiae libero nobis illum quo et. Velit aut accusamus rerum perferendis occaecati illum. Facere rerum quasi repellendus sunt quam aut. Culpa et hic vel.
Ut quo quia velit similique esse nostrum voluptas. Sit repellendus qui tempora asperiores.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...