Thank you, Wall Street Oasis

Hello fellow Monkeys. I know I don't really post here, but I've been a long-time lurker.

I always thought I wanted to be an investment banker and so did everything I could to get there, but I never listened to my heart.

I'm not cut out for investment banking. I should have been honest with myself from the start. I have nothing but respect for you all, but it just isn't for me. I have no compelling story, no impressive credentials, no starpower - just a naive dream and a hunger to prove myself.

I made this post because I wanted to thank you all. This community is wonderfully supportive and without it I'd still be sending two-page resumes and using my mouse. I would be nothing.

I wish each and every one of you the best of luck in your future endeavours. Even though I failed in my attempt to become an investment banker, I do not feel like a failure. There's lots of wonderful opportunities for me to pursue in my life and I'm grateful for every single one of them. Plus in the networking process I made lots of amazing new friends who have been nothing but uplifting and encouraging, going out of their way to help me.

Once again, thank you all. This community has helped me beyond words, even though I was just a lurker.

I'm pursuing a career that isn't remotely finance related so I won't really have much of a reason to lurk here anymore, but I'll still pop by every now and again and smile remembering my days of learning what a DCF is and how to calculate EBITDA.

Warmest regards,

Liam.

 
Most Helpful

PhD scholarships in political science. I feel fulfilled when I'm helping others and it's a field I'm enthusiastic about. I spent so much time in my head thinking about numbers and logic that I forgot to take stock of my passion and what makes me human. That was probably the most wishy-washy bullshit that's ever been written on an investment banking forum haha

 

I don't think you need a compelling story, hugely impressive credentials (although these help getting in as a junior), or starpower to break into IBD. I know a guy who didn't do an undergrad and is now an M&A banker at a great spot. I'd argue your hunger to prove yourself is more important- that said, if you don't want to do the job or feel that you're not cut out for it, more power to you for recognizing it early instead of wasting your youth away and being miserable for some weird prestige gratification.

TLDR: don't get discouraged by lack of near-term success in a field that rewards persistence, but don't spend your time going after something that will never make you happy.

 

Thank you for your encouragement. I really appreciate your uplifting comment, but it's definitely not for me. As painful as it is to admit given it's been my childhood dream, I couldn't hack it. I'm like a 5'2" teenager who wants to be an NBA player. I need to be more realistic with my options and do something that nurtures my talents rather than pursuing something that doesn't play to my strengths and I have no possibility of succeeding in.

 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for finally creating an account, even if it was just to stop in and say thank you & goddbye. Thank you for letting us know how we helped and for showing other members that the mentality of "IB or bust" is really unhealthy (and just not right) for a lot of people.

Stay strong and good luck! Patrick

 

Wish you all the best Liam. Do what makes you happy. IB is a little bubble and there are many other jobs that are better in every single regard. Don't forget that there are a lot of people in the same boat as you, myself included, and typically only successful people share their experience. You haven't lost anything. You didn't fail. Once again, wish you all the best.

made new unrelated account - dont reply or message as i never use it. 
 

There are so many ways to success and happiness, especially in the west, do not feel bad and do not look back, keep looking for opportunities and if you never give up and continue to grind you will undoubtedly crash it!

 

Ipsam dolorem harum minus quaerat corporis optio non. Aliquam ea atque eum. Repellat soluta consequatur nam temporibus nihil. Totam suscipit sed aut et.

Itaque nulla quia sunt sit optio. Necessitatibus voluptas quis rerum possimus minus. At enim sed ipsa est qui.

Nesciunt vitae non ea doloribus. Molestiae debitis facere exercitationem facere cupiditate veritatis nisi.

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 (85) $262
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (65) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (198) $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

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...”