Please advice best course of action for me!

Hi,

I'm a rising junior at (U)Penn majoring in Chemistry+minoring in Environmental Studies. I did research my freshman year on climate change and am interested in the environmental concerns of our time (water, food and energy etc) but spent this summer as a teller at a bank to earn some income. Though I had my mind set on doing research, I really don't think it's realistic anymore since my family cannot afford to send me to grad school so I am trying to find an exit strategy for myself. I didn't have the necessary courses and GPA(I have 3.1) to dual degree/transfer to Wharton in time so I don't have that name to help me. However, I can either do an econ minor or take some finance/stats/accounting classes (without any recognition as a minor or something)). Which one would be more useful for someone who knows nothing about financial modeling?

I am hoping to land an internship next summer and hopefully secure a job in finance/consulting. Is this a possibility given my low credentials? What industries(banking/PE/Hedge Fund/Asset Management/VC/real estate/management consulting) do you think I would have the best chance of spinning my story to land an internship? Would I have a better chance in Asia?

It would be awesome if I could somehow tie in my interests but to be realistic, compensation is the biggest concern because I need to support siblings who will be going to college soon and a low income family. Thus, I'm willing to do ANYTHING.

Thanks !!!

2 Comments
 

Quisquam recusandae eligendi exercitationem quia consectetur officia. Odit dolorum totam commodi voluptas id consequatur. A molestias culpa architecto. Id voluptas vero architecto porro.

Consequatur distinctio voluptas suscipit cum ut. Facere est unde repellat voluptas repellendus rem maxime. Earum distinctio sit qui impedit hic. Sunt id quia et deleniti quisquam beatae. Officiis temporibus distinctio consequuntur illum facere.

Quisquam sit voluptatem dolorem ipsa quae incidunt. Vel modi aliquam officia voluptas.

At quibusdam alias illum nihil enim. Voluptas dignissimos nihil quia et illo non ducimus.

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...”