Is Banking Worth It In 2021? The Definitive WSO Poll

The title says it all. With all of the debate around banking and analyst burnout I thought I'd put this together and have a larger scale poll that isn't limited to just the comments. If you believe investment banking is a good career path (as in, you would be willing to do it here in 2021), give this post an SB. If you are currently in the field or have worked in the field, mark it as helpful. If you are a student or have never worked in banking, mark it as funny. If you think it is NOT worth it, as in the cons outweigh the pros, give it MS. If you are an analyst, mark it as not helpful. If you are associate or above mark it as low quality. If you are a current student, mark it as inaccurate. And if you work in finance but not banking, mark it as spam. I think this should be a cool idea to see how WSO as a whole feels. Let's keep this honest (don't answer like you're a fucking VP when you're a prospect). Also, feel free to comment and/or debate your thoughts (I know there was a recent thread similar to this). Hopefully enough people voice their opinion through many bananas and monkey shits.

 
Most Helpful

Look, do what the fuck you want. Stop trying to make life decisions based on what a fucking forum thinks. Read some threads in which people talk about their experience in IB, and then make up your own mind.

 
Funniest

This dude goes on the IB forum and tells everyone to give him SBs if they think their career choice is worth it. That’s low key genius lol

 

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Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

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

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  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
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