Wanting to Change Path Within Business

Hi guys,

So basically, I'm a senior at a non-target graduating this June pursuing a degree in finance. Initially, I was really interested in an investment banking career, particularly in equity research, but after getting some more exposure to that area through my school's group, I've realized that financial modeling isn't as interesting as I thought it would be. What I enjoyed more about the process was the qualitative aspect (i.e., researching where the industry was going, what the business is/how it operates, etc.) as opposed to the quantitative part (i.e. which beta to use, forecasting working capital, etc.). This has made me to a large extent rethink my career path.

I think now that I am much more interested in a career in corporate strategy, but I don't really know how to get there. Fact is, coming from a non-target, MBB and some of the top F500 strat companies like google are almost impossible (I applied to MBB online, got rejected of course). In order to get a good strat job, it seems one must work at MBB to even have a chance, so I'm trying to see if there are other areas that are perhaps the next best thing to corporate strategy or are more qualitatively oriented than just a pure financial analysis job.

I know this post is kind of vague, but if anyone has some guidance or needs more details about what exactly I'm looking for, I'd really appreciate the advice and will gladly try and be more specific.

Thanks!

6 Comments
 

Yes, you can consider the Duke MMS, it's a one year program that you can use to get a better name on your resume and leverage towards recruiting into either F500 or MBB, both of which you'd stand a vastly better shot at than with your current background.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

If possible I want to avoid those things because I'll be needing an MBA later on anyway and those are not only expensive, but could lead me to being in the same spot a year later with more debt and no benefit. Are there alternative first jobs I could take besides i-banking/MC that could lead to those positions I want?

 

Why did you only apply to MBB? There are thousands of consulting shops if that is what you're interested. I would start panicking if I were you and begin working my ass off to find out if any firms are still even doing FT hiring and then begin networking and applying to them.

An honest opinion of your situation is that you are probably an entitled child who chases the prestigious jobs without any knowledge of the daily operations specific to those positions and an unwillingness to put forward the effort in getting the positions.

 
Best Response

Et qui ab sed voluptate nihil exercitationem. Sunt veniam sequi debitis explicabo sunt et praesentium. Est voluptas corporis aut voluptas est. Animi ut sed voluptates et ipsam. Eum rerum vel eum est doloribus optio incidunt. Quo ipsa consequatur placeat impedit ea rerum exercitationem. Debitis debitis rerum accusamus et.

Ipsum facere voluptatem eos molestiae enim quasi. Non in accusamus magni officia veniam quia. Iste beatae dolorem fugit aliquam asperiores. Enim deleniti natus quidem.

Praesentium quasi distinctio omnis consectetur qui occaecati. Deserunt ab amet dolores nihil atque et ut. Quis omnis sit qui sapiente est. Modi sunt maiores voluptas dolore. Esse consectetur aut ab repellat. Explicabo quas deleniti sit fugit consequuntur cupiditate qui. In quibusdam beatae dolore sed nihil.

Sint sit harum voluptas dicta modi consequuntur. Ea eaque inventore veniam. Ipsum aut aspernatur inventore placeat perferendis et. Harum repellat vitae eaque a. Libero debitis repellat mollitia.

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 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $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

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...”