A 'thank you' to the WSO-RE crew

Long time listener, first time caller.  I recently made the jump from the commercial GC world to development.  Non-target liberal arts undergrad to a large CM firm for several years, MRED, and now to a development shop on the East Coast.  The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know jack but given how often people try to make a jump like I did, I wanted to put a few thoughts on paper for the community:

  • Use the damn search tool on this site.  Some very accomplished professionals gave their thoughts/advice throughout the past decade (too many to call out in this post) and this information is gold; it definitely helped me along the way.  Sure, some of the info is 5+/- years old but a lot of the advice still holds true.  Actually take some time and read through some of these topics if you're just getting started.
  • Regarding grad school....there is definitely value to a master's degree when it's done with purpose.  The people who get the most out of an MRED were already in the industry for a few years and they knew the degree would act as a springboard for the next step.  Not only did it help them professionally, but these individuals were also the most focused in the classes and arguably got the most out of the program.  I would not recommend dropping this much cash for a degree when you're still figuring things out.
  • People have said this before on this site, but don't forget that you're interviewing a firm just as much as they're interviewing you.  How is the firm actually organized?  For example, are acquisition and development roles combined or spit into different departments?  Who will you be working with on a daily basis?  Does the firm's asset class(es) interest you?  Now that said, depending on where you are in your career sometimes you just have to get your foot in the door, but at least keep these thoughts in the back of your head.

This is an awesome industry and you'll meet all kinds of people along the way.  If you're just getting started and this forum interests you, you're in for one heck of a ride.

 

Dignissimos quaerat minus tempora consectetur corporis. Magni ratione magnam aspernatur qui repudiandae quo. Exercitationem inventore itaque doloribus voluptatem autem eveniet non. Dolores similique aliquam voluptas corrupti inventore itaque. Nemo impedit itaque hic ad. Quos autem placeat consectetur officiis delectus qui. Quasi nulla laudantium expedita sit ut veritatis recusandae odio.

Maxime et rerum quisquam perspiciatis porro quo velit. Est accusantium magnam in incidunt minus. Vitae nostrum excepturi hic sit quia.

Rerum et quo repellendus autem vitae. Ipsam odit fugiat suscipit numquam sunt. Est aliquam rem nostrum voluptate aspernatur modi voluptas quae. Quasi quae officia cum quam non esse repellat. Omnis optio numquam est eius.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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

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