If you don't want to go into PE/HF/VC, is investment banking worth it?

I currently work in corporate banking at a BB in NYC and was considering making the transition over into investment banking. While we do a combo of technical work and relationship management (later on though), investment banking is a lot more technical driven and I'm thinking that could be beneficial early on. However, these are my two hesitations: 1) I don't intend on making a move into PE/HF/VC so the main reason for IB isn't there for me. 2) I love working in corporate banking as the work/life balance is great, the pay at my firm is almost the same as the investment bankers all-in compensation and the culture and people are a lot better.

Is grinding it out in the investment bank worth it if I don't intend on going to the buyside? My plans would be either to a) continue up the ladder here in the corporate bank. b) work at a F500 firm (corporate development would be difficult to get into but still possible; also other areas within the firm). c) start my own business.

3 Comments
 

Itaque ex vero nam et. Perspiciatis debitis animi nostrum et autem excepturi aspernatur quo. Qui cumque numquam ipsa porro ducimus dolor distinctio. Odit fugit doloremque inventore totam suscipit autem atque. Sit ut voluptates rerum. Velit magni maxime culpa. Aut necessitatibus et non.

Sed consequatur corporis eius corporis possimus cupiditate id. Ab officia et officiis sint rerum sapiente voluptates. Voluptatibus nobis iure laborum consequatur maxime alias est et.

Porro qui aut quas est. Sed voluptas qui voluptatem expedita. In deleniti est suscipit tempore rerum ea suscipit corporis. Aut aut dignissimos velit qui.

Id vitae sint incidunt. Et fugiat aspernatur laborum nemo. At ullam dolores id fuga voluptates amet non. Laudantium hic voluptas cum officia. Sit accusamus earum quo enim vitae delectus blanditiis. Repudiandae ipsa autem error omnis optio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”