Advice for a Naieve Girl

Hey guys,

I hope you are all well. I just wanted to know if I could seek the advice if some of the people wih experience working in an investment bank. I have an offer for a bank in dcm and I just wanted to know if anyone could provide some answers for the below questions:

- how much would is the base salary for an analyst/associate/someone with 4 years banking experience
- what are the working hours like with heavy deal flow and a growing bond desk
- what are the key things that you would be doing and is there much financial modelling and what type?
- is it more process driven and can be easily picked up?
- what is more challenging technically: dcm, ECM, m&a, private equity
- small teams better than big teams?
- I also have some specific questions that I would like to ask people via PM so if you know anyone who has worked in dcm I would appreciate some help!
- anyone have experience with the following cultures: US, Swiss, British, German, japanese : any key adjectives to describe each?
- what are the exit ops like? And can you still be doing it when you are 40 or will I burn out?
- will I have to pass FCA exams and how are they structured? Are they difficult?

Also anyone able to comment on the culture at BTMU, Mizuho and SMBC?

thanks