How did you figure out what you wanted to do in investment banking?

How do people figure out what division of investment banking they want to work in? Being a college sophomore, I’m having trouble figuring out what I specifically want to do in the world of investment banking. Any insight is appreciated

 
Most Helpful

that’s both useless and unhelpful. Personally, I was interested in RX from the get go because it seemed complicated and had a high number of situations where you needed to really learn a lot about companies and what was going on. I didn’t too much like the synergies BS of M&A, though it’s not really that bad. I took a look at the things I had done in my life previously, what interested me (analytical, puzzle like work, complicated) and applied it to the type of banking. Some people have sports backgrounds and want to do some kind of banking, and a lot of nerds want to do tech because they can only think of that in the media coverage that is very influential to them.

 
Analyst 1 in PE - LBOs:

that’s both useless and unhelpful. Personally, I was interested in RX from the get go because it seemed complicated and had a high number of situations where you needed to really learn a lot about companies and what was going on. I didn’t too much like the synergies BS of M&A, though it’s not really that bad. I took a look at the things I had done in my life previously, what interested me (analytical, puzzle like work, complicated) and applied it to the type of banking. Some people have sports backgrounds and want to do some kind of banking, and a lot of nerds want to do tech because they can only think of that in the media coverage that is very influential to them.

Where do people with sports background work? And what do they want?

 

Do you feel drawn to any specific part of what you're reading and talking about yet? When I was recruiting for my IB internship, I was always attracted to the structuring side and therefore focused on levfin, rx, sponsors groups for networking and recruiting (didn't hurt that those were the ones everyone said had the most optionality). That being said, when it came time for group placement I got swayed by prestige and group rankings at my bank and interned in a group I hated - highly recommend not doing that lol.

People talk a lot about not limiting your exits and maximizing optionality and IMO, while that makes sense if you really don't know what you want to do, I wouldn't shy away from energy, RE, etc if you're interested in it. After I interned I re-evaluated what I actually liked and my current focus is very "niche" but I love the industry focus and the work and can easily see building a career in it.

 

Sometimes it's easier to find what you don't like and then start narrowing it down. Personally, I don't like energy/oil/tech, so it wouldn't make sense for me to pursue those groups.

 

Tbh everyone who was smart was doing it and I wanted to make the most money out of college and this was the job everyone was gunning for so I did it. Now I know I shouldn't have done it.

 

Atque veniam adipisci voluptas nobis occaecati sed cum necessitatibus. Nihil est praesentium consequatur occaecati accusantium sapiente. Vitae molestiae voluptatum impedit quidem. Laudantium quo magnam eius illum quidem nesciunt quia. Vel possimus et ex non impedit sint vel. Aliquam quia et neque saepe eum enim enim.

Quod tempora totam earum veritatis. Dolore aperiam dolorem corporis et tempore ut deleniti placeat. Fugiat iste non odio nihil necessitatibus.

Tempora doloremque perferendis a atque quas est dolores. Architecto in necessitatibus hic non. Fugiat magni sed sit. Nostrum quaerat iusto iste cupiditate repudiandae libero assumenda maiores. Quod nostrum voluptate dolorem.

Quia consectetur facere pariatur rerum officiis. Corporis voluptate sit nihil. Natus itaque eum saepe vitae cupiditate accusantium commodi. Quam aperiam necessitatibus voluptates eaque non consequatur distinctio. Itaque minima laudantium aut dolorem adipisci odit molestiae.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”