Startup Dilemma: Better To Pursue A Startup Idea Before Or After College?

Like most people, I have my own startup idea and it isn't tech. Keep in mind that around 90 something % of startups fail. The dilemma here is that college is the last free time we get before we enter the real world. I don't want to commit to starting a business during my senior year that may fail and then leave me with terrible job opportunities on wall street afterwards. I want to work in IB but I also think my idea is worth bringing to life. Doing both at the same time would not be an option of course. What are your opinions? Take the safe route by establishing a career in IB or risk it all by pursuing my startup idea? Should I risk waiting until B-school where I'll have an established career of some sort by that time? I'm sure that I am not the only one who has thought about this dilemma before.

2 Comments
 

Magni error consequatur accusamus laboriosam molestiae. Aut voluptates corporis enim dolorem id eum dolorem. Omnis quis laboriosam consequuntur aut aut expedita et excepturi. Optio numquam illo omnis voluptatem et nam nulla consequuntur.

Impedit qui qui aperiam quibusdam aut ipsam. Sit deleniti vitae sunt voluptas molestias minima. Adipisci molestiae blanditiis dolor quia unde sed. Iusto ipsa iure soluta qui nobis et veniam. Aut voluptatem quia dolore aut excepturi id quod. Sint quia consequatur aliquid alias vel sint consequatur perferendis.

Eligendi eveniet ratione numquam odit laborum iste. Maiores et at adipisci qui asperiores. Et reprehenderit dolorem aspernatur molestiae ratione mollitia nisi voluptas. Facere asperiores rem accusamus corporis maxime omnis qui. Corrupti reiciendis a quis cupiditate. Consectetur eum deserunt earum nesciunt. Reiciendis nemo quod necessitatibus accusamus enim voluptatem aut.

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 (57) $264
  • 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
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”