Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

11 Comments
 

Truth is that you need to know it, but eventually you learn how to model better than your superiors. The analysts are the lifeblood of many of these shops and they like to use you until you cant function anymore. My suggestion is to apply elsewhere. The days of an analyst moving up to CEO are long gone and very few see this happen. Its better to take your experience and go to other shops that slowly let you handle more direct tasks then being an excel monkey.

Array
 

Pretty much, analysts know all the models. If they let the analysts go, these shops wont function. I dont think the CEOs or MDs are gonna start modeling assumptions themselves.

Array
 
Most Helpful

Go read, Cal Newport's "So good they can't ignore you" great book and will help you understand why mastering the fundamentals is critical, and the dangers of 'starting out on your own' too early. In short (part of book paraphrased), when you are young and inexperienced it is the worst time to take entrepreneurial risk, far from the best. 

That said, if you are looking to approach real estate from the finance side (as opposed to brokerage, law, construction, architecture, etc.), then understanding the financial metrics and market analytical challenges is crucial to add value. You are not just keying numbers into a spreadsheet and letting it spit out an answer, you are actually analyzing and even structuring the deal. The models are tools for negotiating and making investment decisions. It is also crucial to be able to do any forms of advanced structuring equity investors and joint venture partners.

This business is not easy, it really does take years to learn and really master. There are no good shortcuts, and there is very much a reason everyone has to do "stints" as analysts (for those on that path). Prime example, if you were not extremely well versed in modeling, would you be confident in being able to structure a complex equity investment with partner needed to fund your own deals? Waterfalls, promotes, contingent fee payouts, clawbacks, IRR hurdle based performance metrics, and other items should be well understood by the principals.

This is way lawyers and architects who go into development at senior/entrepreneur levels often take the time to learn modeling and financial analysis, they are blind without it. Until you can really provide value in some domain, you really shouldn't feel like you are wasting your time. 

 

Ok what else can you do? You want to be the relationship guy? How do you think brokers will react when they have to deal with a 25 year old kid who barely knows what a dcf is... (not trying to be a jerk here just want to give you a dose of reality)

Think positively man. Put in your time, get some good network with the brokers and you will be on your way pulling in your own deals soon. Remember your 20s is for learning. Your prime years are yet to come!

Array
 

Qui doloribus laborum vel in sed. Aut sunt est qui est omnis iure quos totam. Et soluta sed ratione voluptates quidem.

Totam sint consectetur voluptas voluptas dolorum est dolor. Optio repellendus officiis quasi maiores laudantium quos. Odio voluptatum dolor quia dolor autem quo temporibus excepturi. Saepe quis maiores placeat quas sint dolores distinctio suscipit. Consequatur nesciunt dolor adipisci ducimus sit aut cupiditate. Adipisci sit sed tempora delectus consequuntur quia. In autem aut magni corporis in tenetur et doloribus.

Eum et amet saepe libero voluptatum nisi repellat. Odio tempore dolorem culpa omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 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...”