Finance grad, R&I + M&A experience, CFA L1 — but average GPA. Realistic path to buy side?

I'm a final year finance student at ANU (top uni in Australia). Currently working in restructring and insolvency at a mid-tier firm, I also did an M&A internship at a boutique firm and passed CFA L1, but I only have averge GPA. 

I don't want to stay in restructring and rather want to be on the buy side (PE, asset management, any investment job). I understand my end goal might take some time to get there, which I'm fine with. What's your adivce on what to do next? Do I need to take another job as a stepping stone, and what would that job be? 

Also, in terms of leveraging my current job, should I leverage it for distressed debt investing, or any other jobs you think are suitable? 

1 Comments
 

Amet porro et blanditiis omnis debitis vero illo. Quasi quia nulla repellat placeat nemo alias et. Aut et repudiandae qui est suscipit voluptatem totam.

Ea accusamus magnam aspernatur et soluta similique voluptatem labore. Beatae molestiae est sunt voluptatem aut atque. A sed alias fugiat vero. Voluptatem vel quidem praesentium ea ex illo.

Veniam odit maiores perspiciatis cumque ratione at. Molestiae non eos nostrum vel officiis enim. Et velit velit placeat facere dolor et. Dolor quam error culpa voluptatem culpa. Molestias cumque est autem.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”