Hello - Home-schooled and taking classes at community college

Hi,

My name is Dylan and I am 16 years old. I'm pretty much done with high school (I'm homeschooled) so I am taking classes at my local community college until I officially graduate, and I stumbled upon investment banking as a possible career.

I've been playing around with $500 of my own money on an online trading site, mainly in penny stocks, and I'm actively learning about finance and economics (although as a highs chooler my avenues to learn are limited)

I am coming onto this site hopefully to learn just exactly what Investment Bankers DO. I'm mainly interested in managing money in the stock market, and I have no idea what colleges I should go to, what I should major in, or even whether I want investment banking or Asset Management or so on.

So basically I know nothing, and I'm here to learn!

-Dylan

4 Comments
 

let me teach you a trick. first, scroll up to the top of your screen. then, look in the upper-left portion of your monitor. see that yellow box that says "Search WSO"? It will magically solve all of the problems you mentioned.

But really man, it's all been discussed before so just do a few searches

 
Best Response
Soldier of Fortunelet me teach you a trick. first, scroll up to the top of your screen. then, look in the upper-left portion of your monitor. see that yellow box that says "Search WSO"? It will magically solve all of the problems you mentioned.

But really man, it's all been discussed before so just do a few searches

It's called the new user intro forum for a reason, dude.

Welcome JI. Investment bankers advise companies on sales, mergers, acquisitions, getting money, and entering/exiting the stock market. IB trainees (analysts) make powerpoints using excel. You'll learn how to get to point A (and subsequently B - Z) during your college internships, as well as through using this site and other resources. Good luck!

in it 2 win it
 
FSC
Soldier of Fortunelet me teach you a trick. first, scroll up to the top of your screen. then, look in the upper-left portion of your monitor. see that yellow box that says "Search WSO"? It will magically solve all of the problems you mentioned.

But really man, it's all been discussed before so just do a few searches

It's called the new user intro forum for a reason, dude.

Welcome JI. Investment bankers advise companies on sales, mergers, acquisitions, getting money, and entering/exiting the stock market. IB trainees (analysts) make powerpoints using excel. You'll learn how to get to point A (and subsequently B - Z) during your college internships, as well as through using this site and other resources. Good luck!

finally, someone who isn't a dickheads to the newcomers
 

Natus doloremque praesentium iste qui. Cupiditate a quam nesciunt ut aut recusandae. Quisquam voluptas ipsa et soluta. Et excepturi magni dolor autem. Qui facilis molestias harum in non nobis perferendis. Optio error sit et ipsam temporibus.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. -Seneca

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...”