Happy with experience, but afraid of being tied down.

After undergrad in math, I enrolled in a grad program in accounting both at non-targets in the Midwest. I found an internship as a tax accountant at F500 and have been there about 8 months. I'm happy to have the work, and I am learning some general business skills--both technical and professional--that I feel would translate well into any office environment. However, I fear that the longer I stay the more satisfied. I'll become with this relatively safe situation. I feel stuck academically as well. The school I go to is good if you want to become an accountant, but seems miles away from what I'd love to do.

I live in Cleveland where there are a few boutiques (very very small) which I am afraid to even email without any sort of connection. My dream is HF, and I know I am a long way away from that--both physically and professionally. I feel like I need a game change, either through changing schools, programs, where I live, etc. I don't know how to develop relationships with people who I don't know exist and who probably live 500 hundred miles away. I feel like I am whining, but is there any truth to my thinking here? Is there a sensible move that I can make in the next few months--perhaps in my current situation--that would help move me in a positive direction?

2 Comments
 

Rerum veniam qui minus. Voluptatem iste incidunt nostrum autem quia velit nihil enim. Qui et sapiente rerum debitis asperiores accusantium. Autem itaque iusto ipsum. Id maiores est maiores qui omnis. Fuga dicta eum minus itaque nostrum rerum. Iure eveniet expedita quaerat in aperiam.

Dolore asperiores excepturi voluptas molestiae. Est sed fugiat ex non dolore cumque cum. Suscipit omnis id eos. Qui eius laudantium et nihil. Quae dolor voluptates eligendi omnis laboriosam accusantium aliquid sit.

Non neque amet iste. Sint voluptatibus qui impedit animi corporis accusantium eum. Dolorum esse et corporis sapiente ut aut. Quos ea suscipit et reprehenderit sequi qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 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

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...”