Why not aim to start as an Associate?

From what I pick up, associates make a lot more money for doing the exact same grunt work that analysts do. I am wondering, then, why so many people strive to enter as analysts instead of assocaites. Why don't more people consider doing some corp finance work, going to a good b-school, and then start as an associate? This way, you will be able to hold on to your sanity for a few more years after college before jumping into banking. And when it is time to switch, you will be making more money Shouldn't this be a goal for more people?

4 Comments
 
Why don't more people consider doing some corp finance work, going to a good b-school, and then start as an associate?

A lot of people do this. Once you are an associate you are expected to stay in banking as opposed to an analyst who will either go to B-school or PC/HF/VC.

Reality hits you hard, bro...
 

Et quia rerum et odio a qui itaque aperiam. Ipsa ea voluptates alias id ratione.

Aut aut officia molestias autem laborum. Qui aliquam placeat minima consequatur. Commodi voluptatem consectetur dignissimos in. Eos impedit beatae sequi accusantium quibusdam voluptate ea dignissimos.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”