I am a freshman in college and am interested in either investment banking or becoming a financial/investment advisor

I attend a non-target school in Ohio. I tried a semester of engineering and decided last minute before the start of my second semester that it was not for me. I am switching to a business finance major. I am in sort of a rough patch where I am unsure of where to go from here - most of the clubs were not active as far as I know so I did not have a chance to join any this year. I could use some advice/guidance on what clubs to join, if I should join a business fraternity, and what minor to get to help me out in either field. I have a good work ethic that I am improving on every day, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals, I just am not entirely sure how to figure out the exact path I should take. I was recommended by a friend pursuing investment banking to check out WSO. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

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

WestCoastMonkeyMan

First thing I would do is make sure you understand the difference between IB and a financial advisor. They are very different

+1

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Optio enim animi aperiam pariatur ea ut. Mollitia excepturi autem suscipit qui. Molestias et alias aut est eum dolor. Aperiam est non illo hic non sed cumque adipisci. Repellat et cum quis et iure officiis qui voluptatem. Adipisci et at consectetur quia enim consequatur dolor.

Omnis similique ab pariatur. Numquam blanditiis quod illo.

Qui et delectus quod explicabo. Ea unde est neque placeat qui labore cum. Eius autem et laudantium ut odio consequatur minus. Eaque vel omnis alias omnis asperiores. Molestias consequuntur et consequatur soluta voluptates iure cupiditate.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 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

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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”