Life help?

Rising sophomore currently nearing the end of a weeklong leadership training program. I've learned a lot this past week and year, including the following (questions come at the end):

I'm a goal-oriented person that prefers fast paces, plans a shit ton, and values achievement, personal development and efficiency above all. I'm the kind of guy that just did all of the group's work because I didn't trust people to perform at my standards. I go to a school where there's immense pressure to know what you're doing 3 years out, as unreasonable as it sounds. Kids are labeled bankers and consultants before they even have experience.

Much of the lessons this week have centered around knowing yourself and where you want to be. There are alumni here (this is for a fraternity) that come from finance backgrounds (former MDs) and entrepreneurial backgrounds (owns 4 businesses). These two pathways are the ones that I have always focused on, with recent pressure leaning towards finance simply because of the blind prestige that my schoolmates assign it. I've talked with them today and they agree I'd do well in finance given my values and personality but wouldn't enjoy it, especially if I have doubts so extremely early on. These doubts were somewhat created by discussions I've had with my school's alumni that currently work in IBD ("You learn a lot, but it's clear that the conditions aren't ideal.")

My questions are these: what other kinds of discussions should I be having in order to help myself figure out just where I want to be? Who else should I talk to? What else can I do to clear up the picture a bit? Any advice?

4 Comments
 

Amazing; how the hell did you guess? IHSV.

WhiteHat: It sounds stupid on the outset, yes, but I don't think it deserves any flak if people immerse themselves in the experience and take away life lessons from it.

 

Yeah I guess most of my wondering isn't whether or not I should pull the trigger on one path or another. If I'm to lean towards entrepreneurship (small business, non-tech), I guess I also want to know what I'm to do as a senior or fresh grad; business opportunities don't just pop in a database like career postings.

 

Recusandae et deleniti provident rerum et. Ducimus voluptatem voluptas sit. Minima et ut officiis corporis. Possimus magni nulla eius voluptas totam maiores qui. Est vitae rerum dolor in et deserunt voluptates.

Quae sunt et cum reiciendis non. Omnis quis delectus quia qui vel fuga aut aperiam. Est atque voluptas perspiciatis rem vel quia asperiores.

Nemo possimus sapiente deleniti earum reiciendis aut. Doloremque sed deleniti tenetur fuga maiores. Perferendis quasi sapiente quibusdam possimus dolorum. Recusandae sit eos tempora eos inventore est. Qui in tempora soluta quas voluptatum explicabo. Maiores repellat corporis id sit ducimus dolores.

Sed quas rerum vel esse perferendis autem. Adipisci ipsum corrupti magnam est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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...”