New to Forum and Investment Banking in General, what should college students like me do now to get ready for Investment Banking?

Hey everyone, I'm a freshman Finance Major at small but respectable private school in Georgia. I found this forum after talking to someone who claimed to be a VP at Morgan Stanley. While talking to him I realized I really know so much less than I thought about my prospective career, portfolio management (for example, I learned that term is too broad and I really don't actually know what career I want). Obviously I can't learn everything I need to know in one post, but what are some thing I need to start doing/looking out for while I'm still a freshman in college. What would you all have done differently? Thanks

 

As stated above, change username (it took me about 5 seconds to find out who you are, where you go to school, and what sport you did in hs) 

Next, navigate to Resources -> FAQs -> More FAQs and from there start looking through what is investment banking (and other career paths) where those career paths can take you, etc. Then browse around on these forums and google any term you don't know. If you have a question, use the search bar on this forum and see if it's been answered before. If not, then make a post about it. 

 

Learn how to use the search bar, like seriously. That shit allowed me to discover some helpful as fuck threads and was instrumental during recruiting. Tons of practice questions from real interviews and the specifics on how certain groups recruit candidates. FAQ is awesome as well.

 

Look up specific questions, career paths, ect on this forum. Also look up top posts of all time. Mergers and inquisitions is very good. Read wall street journal and financial times. Read a book on whatever career you are interested in. Look up interview questions for that career. Cold email professionals in that field. Talk to as many people as you can early on. Networking will get you offers, just make sure you know a thing or two before you start.

 

Echoing what everyone else said above - would add that after you know the basic "what is investment banking / what do investment bankers do" (or any other field for that matter), start talking to people in the industry and ask them the "why's" (why this industry, why this firm, why this group, etc.). Best to reach out to alum of your school or people you have something in common with (LinkedIn is super helpful).

Hint: if you want some good questions just look up some threads on here or over on Mergers and Inquisitions

 

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