So I'm only in my freshman year of college and still have literally everything to learn, but what are some things you wish you knew about the finance world (more specifically breaking in as a grad) when you were in your first few years of college?
| +96 | Are you “less ambitious” for having long term goals outside of NYC | 24 | 1d | |
| +45 | Interviews Are So Fake | 28 | 5h | |
| +33 | 2024 UK Election - Tories finished? | 21 | 7h | |
| +29 | Being Christian in investment banking | 14 | 1d | |
| +25 | Non-Competes Banned | 25 | 2s | |
| How do I become Sigma | 15 | 23m | ||
| +19 | ADHD ! | 4 | 7h | |
| +19 | Moelis has the cutest Analysts? | 4 | 1d | |
| +18 | Best NYC neighborhood for single 30M | 12 | 3d | |
| +16 | Underage intern, drinking? | 7 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
I would say I wish I had known to start prepping earlier than I did.
Some people in this business(particularly interviewers) will not be nice to you, just gotta take that in stride and keep moving forward.
Focus on your health, fitness, routine now.
Develop skills that translate to becoming more efficient.
Sow your wild oats and explore new stuff. Make friends, go on trips, try new shit etc. Do not let breaking into IB become the end all be all of your existence. Knowing how to socialize well, be charismatic, and cultured will 100% help in your career.
College is the one time in your life where you have near boundless freedom if you do it right. Don't forget that.
How much legal reading (at least in real estate and certain lending groups) the job would involve, and also how much seemingly worse I feel like my overall writing has become since all I write is credit memos and emails. Not like I’m trying to write a novel but still.
How important networking truly is. I did not pay enough attention to this for my first year and half, also go to a non target so not much info on timelines and recruiting, also kids around me didn’t know much about “high finance” or in my case RE development. So couldn’t learn that way either. Literally heard one other student mention investment banking lol.
Prep time, would've started in business instead of STEM.
A few thoughts:
1) How difficult it is, to truly make it you need to put all your effort into your career (throughout it) and be lucky.
2) How some ppl have a natural edge you will never have, i.e. rich connected parents or right place/right time.
3) How much prep is needed, for everything. From interviews to work to running a deal process, there is always more work to be done.
4) Prioritize, you can't do it all and there's always more to do, but you must prioritize the most important items.
5) Networking is key and you can never stop doing it at all levels.
6) Fitness, sound mind / sound body.
7) Friends - surround yourself w/ likeminded ambitious people.
8) Know who to avoid - stay away from self-destructive people at all points in your life, they will blow themselves up and take you down with them.
9) Positively goes a long way - no one wants to hire or work with the negative Nancy.
10) Teammates - pick / hire those who are of likeminded and hungry.
11) Intrinsic motivation is something that can't be taught and is priceless.
Get a perfect GPA, get good internships.
KISS.... Keep it simple stupid
That I should’ve studied Computer Science
Most important thing is going to a good school. After that, you can basically fuck around with friends, assuming you maintain a decent GPA, and graduate with a nice job.
.
Do squats everyday so I can get a huge ass. For guys this gives you a huge leg up interviewing.
Literally a huge leg!
Ullam et at alias ipsam voluptatem occaecati. Corporis mollitia iure laborum explicabo odit quos dignissimos. Voluptatem rerum voluptatem quis voluptatem facere ea. Sint necessitatibus mollitia aliquid soluta eveniet sed. Est velit repellendus placeat autem eveniet reprehenderit dolore.
In tempore voluptatem in ad ea vel harum. Ullam architecto nemo non est qui cumque et. Neque et dolorum eum et repudiandae quo deserunt quo. Eum non illo nobis modi. Laboriosam veritatis ut atque perspiciatis nihil ab. Est libero voluptatem voluptatem dignissimos quia aut qui.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...