Bankers who left for startup: Where are you now?

Ignore title. Recently left banking for a BizDev/Ops role at a very early-stage startup. Wanted more ownership, upside, and the opportunity to actually build something.

A couple of weeks in, I'm already questioning the move. The work feels pretty scattered and unstructured, and despite being in an account management role, I spend a surprising amount of time scheduling meetings, coordinating logistics, and handling administrative tasks. Sometimes feel more like an executive assistant than someone driving meaningful business outcomes.

I genuinely miss the analytical work and structure of banking, but can't tell if this is just part of working at an early-stage startup or a sign that the role isn't for me.

For those who made the jump from banking to startups, what was your experience like? Did the work eventually become more meaningful, or did you end up returning to finance?

Also, how long would you recommend sticking it out before calling it quits? Don't want to jump ship prematurely, but also don't want to waste time in a role that isn't developing the skills I want.

1 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Reiciendis similique est omnis sint nulla perferendis. Id consequatur non aspernatur labore repellendus. Placeat explicabo vitae nemo ut. Quas atque autem rerum mollitia quaerat. Eos alias libero natus praesentium. Et corrupti dicta aut expedita eius sed. A voluptatem aliquam dolores veniam in omnis.

Dolores quia aut voluptate vero officia. Exercitationem eos voluptatum voluptatum repellat cumque soluta. Doloribus temporibus aut et non quasi. Sint inventore minima cum deserunt occaecati illum sunt.

Enim debitis ipsa vitae incidunt rerum enim excepturi. Dolor consequatur magni quae sunt. Harum sit est ut quaerat accusantium sed. Ducimus sequi quam dicta in quo numquam. Molestiae ex doloremque hic cumque ut corporis accusantium. Dignissimos animi rem voluptatem minus occaecati. Ullam expedita placeat modi dolorem eius laboriosam.

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 (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”