Recent grad, past year = jumbled

Hi everybody,

tl;dr: I need advice on two questions (see bottom).

I'll toss you a banana if you know where my username comes from without googling it.

So my past year has been jumbled, and there are a ton of questions on my mind.

I graduated last August from a non-target in the PNW, BBA: Finance and Int'l Business. 3.55 overall, 3.68 each for the majors. Was forced to graduate a quarter away from a double degree, BS of Econ (my major GPA for Econ stands at 3.72 overall, too).

Worked from January to June at a small consulting firm which specializes in channel management for tech companies (think GOOG, MSFT, CSCO). Got laid off at the end of fiscal year. Okay with me: I was working 60-70 hours for trash pay in a trash work environment doing work that didn't interest me, but I needed the experience.

Desperate to get a resume placeholder thereafter, I took a paid Financial Analyst internship at a local, 4 year old M&A firm (the founder and I) specializing in small to mid-market acquisitions.

Boss knows I need full time / more money, so I'm looking for a corporate financial analyst job in the meantime (final interview tomorrow at a Fortune 100 company - wish me luck!).

I'll likely be keeping the internship in the meantime - small firm = flex hours & extra pay, which I am in dire need of at the moment.

I need to work in the short term, but I don't know what to do in the long term, so I need advice on two questions:

1. Have any of you worked in roles in corporate, consulting, and boutique shops, and what do you think of the different work environments? I am a social person, love traveling, love working with people, and love numbers too. However, I'm green and will need on the job training at least in some extent no matter what I do. What could work for me?

2. Would it be worth it, after six months or so, to take 3 months off from work and finish that BS Econ? There's no doubt in my mind that I could keep my GPA above 3.7.

Thanks, and I look forward to chatting with all of you on WSO!
--
Torches

3 Comments
 

Dolorum dignissimos et voluptate reiciendis ea nobis. Rerum voluptas et sapiente nemo animi. Quia aperiam et cupiditate ea. Quia facere placeat laborum qui earum omnis iusto.

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...”