Aspiring Bankers Navigate Career Hurdles
Individuals seeking careers in investment banking and commercial credit face challenges including perceived university disadvantage, evolving role expectations, and difficulty transitioning into desired roles like credit analyst. Many feel pressure to broaden their skillset and demonstrate adaptability to succeed in a competitive landscape. The path to desired roles often involves persistence and external applications.
SOURCES (60)
“yeah it’s possible, seen IR folks move into trade finance, compliance, country risk, dfis. key is modelling skills, excel, maybe cfa or fmva, plus internships. networking is 90 percent of it now, grads with perfect backgrounds still struggle getting in because hiring is a mess…”
“Hi everyone, I have around 5 years of experience as Credit Analyst (mid-market corporate segment) at a bank, perform credit assessment, financial analysis and cash flow, analyzing business performance and sectors overall, etc. I've recently received two offers and would really value your perspective: 1- Buy-Side Credit Analyst/Research at a global asset manager ($250B AUM), focused on Emerging Market Corporate Debt. 2- Debt & Corporate Finance Advisory at a small investment capital firm”
“Hi everyone, I have around 5 years of experience as Credit Analyst (mid-market corporate segment) at a bank, perform credit assessment, financial analysis and cash flow, analyzing business performance and sectors overall, etc. I've recently received two offers and would really value your perspective: 1- Buy-Side Credit Analyst/Research at a global asset manager ($250B AUM), focused on Emerging Market Corporate Debt. 2- Debt & Corporate Finance Advisory at a small investment capital firm”
“So I am A BSc zoology Graduate. Now I am taking a break and preparing for banking exams for a year. I don’t know if I will get in to bank in my first attempt because I am at the starting phase now.I have no idea what to do next year. I was thinking about B ed even though I have no interest in that. But my parents are suggesting it. They are saying you can do whatever you want after the B ed. I would like to do pg as well. But I have to find the exact subject which can be other than zoology relat”
“I am looking for some advice regarding my future career. I am 23 and I have been looking for any type of job in finance in the UK. I have recently got accepted for an apprenticeship scheme with Amazon, which is great, but because I wasn't sure that I would be accepted, I obviously applied for other jobs and got accepted for the other one and started it in June. This job that I got was a favour from a friend, as she was struggling with the workload and needed an assistant. We worked together”
“I am a recently graduated senior that got accepted through HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Program, and my post grad role will be an analyst at a MFPE focusing on real estate investments. A lot of mentors told me an MBA isn’t necessary to advance in the RE industry. However, that seems to be only the case when talking about MDs that focus on one particular region / investment niche within the US. It seems like a lot of the top execs (global head / partner level) more times than not have an MBA. My long ter”
“I am currently working in wealth management as a financial advisor (8 months experience) and am trying to break into Commercial Banking as a credit analyst with little success. I’ve been doing a combination of cold applications and alumni networking. This is the resume I’ve been using - I’d really appreciate any feedback on how to improve it or make myself a stronger applicant overall. Thank you! submitted by /u/AutoRev02 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, I would really appreciate some career guidance. I have cleared CFA Level 1 and have been trying to get into a core finance role. Unfortunately, despite applying for several months, I couldn't find a suitable opportunity. Around six months ago, I joined a CA firm because the partner told me they handled valuation assignments. However, after joining, I realized they hardly get valuation work or quality clients, so there isn't much relevant learning or exposure. And I couldn”
“Hello everyone! I’m a finance major in college and just got a part time service specialist role at a credit union in town. I’m looking to build a career in wealth management/financial advising, but open/interested to lots of financial stuff so I figured this would look good on the resume. I have no experience in finance, so I’m happy I got the role above a teller (even though my responsibilities are the similar 😅). I’m responsible for the things a teller does and then a bit more like opening ac”
“TL;DR: Early-30s with an MBA. Relatively cushy (9-7) front office gig at a bank; could coast for years. Have an MBB offer. Not scared of the grind - just not sure the brand and exits still clear the up-or-out risk, especially when the market seems to be repricing generalists down and domain depth up. What exits are people actually seeing right now, and at what level? Throwaway. Current: Associate on a technical, modeling-heavy front office desk at a bank that's respected in its niche. Slow p”
“The school you are attending should have an office to help international students. You should start there. I don't think you will have luck trying to do this online. You probably need to work with a bank or Credit Union that is close to campus. You have no history, so that is going to set off alarms. Once you get this sorted out locally you can probably do online banking if you want to, but not for your first account at 16.”
“I’m looking for advice on which finance career paths I should realistically target. I struggled during my first 2.5 years of university due to personal issues, which left me with a current GPA of around 2.3 and no internships. However, I’m confident that my final year will be much stronger, as academics were never the issue. I expect my final-year GPA to be around 3.5–3.7 and plan to focus heavily on networking, gaining relevant experience, and building my skills. My concern is that careers like”
“Hey Guys I'm From India (M20) and want to do a master's in finance from bocconi based on my profile.What are my chances of getting into the university. Following is my background: I have bachelors in commerce.My CGPA is quite low it's 6.5 CGPA. 23/30 on Italian scale. I was simultaneously preparing for CA AS WELL DURING MY bachelor's. I have cleared 2 levels of CA(FOUNDATION AND INTERMEDIATE) I HAVE CLEARED CFA L1 AND PREPARING FOR CFA L2 My GMAT focus score was 735. Please be ho”
“Could you explain why it might be a challenge? The BoA website says this https://preview.redd.it/l2l36l6k1idh1.jpeg?width=1087&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff3a7180f259d4e99cda2d90c841fcd1d2baa668”
“Yes. If you have good money counting skills it's a fantastic job for when you are in school.”
“Hi guys, I’ve got two offers for an entry level role - one for Deloitte FDD and one for FTI doing DD for lenders(heard there’s a lot of field exam work on revolving loans for the big banks) Both are in the same city so was wondering if anyone could speak to how exits differed and if comp differs significantly as you get promoted. Thanks submitted by /u/ThatOneRoadhog [link] [comments]”
“I have a wonderful oppurutnity to be trained as a commerical underwriter at the bank I work at. My edu is in buisness managment so I didn't recieve indepth schooling on finance. They are training me in house via shadowing, but I am finding I need more indepth training as I have forgotten some concepts. I am wondering if there are any courses or books anyone would reccomend I utilize outside of work? I don't care about getting a certificate, I only care about learning and knowledge.”
“I am a recently qualified CA and worked mostly in taxation field in my internship. I want to work as a IB. What is the way for it to achieve this aim? submitted by /u/secondlife30072020 [link] [comments]”
“kinda reads like an ad but anyway, any course that teaches basic modeling, valuation and some accounting will work tbh as long as you actually grind excel and build stuff yourself helper stuff like resume and linkedin is nice but breaking into ib is more about networking than certificates”
“I currently work as an aircraft maintainer in the US military. Before I joined the military I wanted to go to college to become an asset manager but I chose the military for the free school. I have about 3.5 years left in the military and I want to utilize it to give myself the best possible opportunities in the civilian world. I currently am in school using military tuition assistance, getting my bachelors in Aviation Businesses Administration from Embry-Riddle. I plan to use my GI Bill when I”
“Hi everyone, I’m currently working as an insurance actuary and want to use an MBA to transition into US investment banking. I’m trying to narrow down my school list and I want to be realistic but don't want to spend too much time applying to schools that don't actually get recruited by the big banks. If you had to build an IB-specific tier list for MBA programs, how would you rank them? Thank you! submitted by /u/LopsidedSpeech7560 [link] [comments]”
“i have zero knowledge about accounts or finance in general i am from a sci background i wanted to learn about accounts a bit before committing could someone suggest me free resources or yt lectures to build my basics and gauge my interest in it (i searched on yt and found 'accounting stuff ' channel he has a long around 30hr playlist with all vid should i watch and learn from those ??) submitted by /u/Front-Can-56 [link] [comments]”
“I’m a recent Business Administration graduate facing a major career crossroads. My long-term goal (next 1–2 years) is to transition into the Gulf/Saudi market or eventually start my own business. I have two very different offers on the table: Option 1: A tiny Freight Forwarding agency (3 employees). Low pay and heavy workload, but I'll handle everything—Operations, Pricing, and Sales. I'll learn the trade from scratch, but I'm terrified of getting stuck in a small office with low pay”
“I think the title covers it. I’m currently a summer and things are winding down. I’ve tried hard to get M&A and Finance assignments. For M&A, I’ve been staffed on a few deals as the junior and I enjoy the work and can tell I’ve learned a lot so far. For finance, I haven’t gotten as many projects besides super small stuff. I like both groups. The finance group seems to have more people willing to mentor me which I really appreciate. I would say that the Finance group has taken more of an”
“So I’m currently planning to major in Finance so I could work as a Financial Analyst But I’m second-guessing my decision, so I’d really appreciate any advice For those already in the field: Is being a Financial Analyst still a good career path? Especially in Spain/Middle East (in terms of salary, job stability, market demand) What is the work environment really like? Any tip would help :) submitted by /u/After-Ebb-9942 [link] [comments]”
“Help me with it i am a b.com graduate and want to pursue mba submitted by /u/riti17g [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, basically what the title says. For reference, I just graduated in May with a joint finance/economics major with a stats minor from a highly ranked liberal arts college on the West Coast (not mentioned for anonymity). Ended with a 3.5-3.6 range cumulative GPA and 3.8 major GPA. I had a rough freshman year, came in as pre-med and had rough grades which is why my GPA is on the low end, went nearly straight A's last 2.5 years once I switched to the finance route. I cleared CFA Level”
“I have recently graduated with a BA in business management, and have gone full time with the weekend job i held during university. I have considered many routes but im unsure how to achieve any of them, Accounting, for example requires me to have an accounting certification such as acca - which in turn requires i have 6 months industry experience. My main question is how do i search for jobs, endlessly applying to fake positions and MLMs (one of which i interviewed with only to realise it was an”
“I’m looking into a career in international trade and how to get started. For the past three years, I’ve been working in the corporate world and studying the financial markets. This year, I had the opportunity to take a course on foreign trade, and I’m really excited about the possibility of entering this field. I’ve come to understand that transaction dynamics vary from country to country based on local regulations, but could you share your own career experiences with me? How do you feel about i”
“For context I currently work in fund accounting although my undergrad was in quantitative analysis. I would like to work in PE/VC but my main goal atm is to get out of accounting asap. Most of my connections in the industry indicate an MBA would be the most common way to get in. However opinions are mixed between going to a top program or getting an MBA from any school. In my state there are no top MBA programs. I would have to move for one and I’m currently constrained to staying where I’m at f”
“Hi everyone, I have 10 months of full-time big 4 experience (client facing) in governance, risk advisory, and compliance services (I left to pursue my Masters degree). I also have 10 months of internship experience as an internal audit intern in the IT Audit team of a Fortune 500 company. I finished my bachelor’s of commerce (majoring in Advanced Accounting and Auditing) and recently graduated with my Masters in Finance. Since my internship ended in April 2026 (the company did not have budget to”
“I graduated with my BSBA in Marketing from a small school last year and I’ve been working as an account rep for a local company for 6 months. I didn’t get as much out of my degree as I was hoping, and I know my company tends to prefer people with masters when promoting. I’m interested in getting my MBA to fill the gaps in my education and develop an expertise since I don’t feel like I’m “good at” any specific area. I’m interested in data analytics or possibly getting my MACC. I had a 3.7 gpa but”
“Hi everyone. I recently had an interview as a UB.during the interview, I was asked about weighing two options and figuring out which one was right or examples of when I figured out the best option for customer and things like that. I have 2nd interview scheduled and I’m not sure what they’ll ask me then. Do you have remember what they asked during your UB interview, any specific questions? submitted by /u/AdCrazy4453 [link] [comments]”
“I’m a rising senior studying math and CS at a strong liberal arts college, but it’s essentially a non-target for finance and consulting. I’m honestly confused about how networking is supposed to work. My current approach is cold messaging alumni on LinkedIn, hoping someone responds, then having a 20 to 30 minute coffee chat. The conversations are usually great, but then… what? Am I supposed to ask for a referral at the end of the call? Follow up a few months later? Just keep checking in? Cold me”
“As a psych (master's) graduate how can I get a job at a big company at JP Morgan. What can be the most useful skillsets I can learn. I have 6 months left until I graduate. I want to utilise this and atleast get into an entry level job there. I'm not thinking of ui/ux as of yet. Please please please I need your help! Tell me the jobs that can get me into jp morgan. I'll keep learning after that too. submitted by /u/No_Cod2114 [link] [comments]”
“For context, I’m 36yo already working as a manager at a F500 company making 160k. Only have a bachelors and a CIA certification. Decided I wanted to keep myself busy and pursue an MBA, applied and accepted at YSU since it’s cheap and 100% online. Here’s my hurdle, I spoke with my executive about my intention to pursue an MBA and his advice was to not do it at YSU. Instead, pursue CPA if I needed something to keep me busy now, and long run I should only attend an elite business school for MBA (i.”
“How many hours per week do you actually work as an MBA associate? Particularly interested in Charlotte, NC banks. View Poll submitted by /u/TR4CK_STAR [link] [comments]”
“One year ago I started as an MBA Associate in investment banking (coverage) at a top bulge bracket in NYC. Summary: Average hours: ~67/week (includes training and ramp-up period, which was 40 hours for the first 8 weeks; probably still accurate given everyone in IB over-reports their hours a bit to avoid staffings) Peak: 108 hours Average sleep: ~6.9 hours Average resting HR: ~54 bpm Net worth: -55k → +78k Takeaways: So much ebb and flow in this business. Sometimes I think it's the best job”
“*Just for context - for someone not pursuing MBB, IB or LDP* I have a great job at a small but flexible and growing fund, that will allow me to return post MBA. What I am trying to figure out is which FT MBA's in the T30 offer the most flexibility in the following: How many days a week are you actually on campus? Can you choose most of your class times? Is attendance generally mandatory, or does it vary by professor? Are lectures ever recorded? Are there programs where you can realistically”
“Yea I don’t think these guys saying that have worked in high finance. The law comparison is a good one, it’s the same concept with investment bankers going to corp dev. Hard to answer your question without knowing more about the potential new gig, if “less exciting” could mean less stress. I’m same age as you in finance and what I’ve found is colleagues make all the difference. I can handle stress if I have supportive coworkers who I enjoy working with. If you hate your coworkers grinding is goi”
“I think this is a great response. I agree that investment banking isn’t the only rewarding path, far from the only one actually. There’s so many great areas that are adjacent to investment banking (commercial banking, consumer banking, wealth management, etc) that have a better work-life balance and easier entry for non-business majors.”
“Like the title says, I have an opportunity to interview for an entry-level analyst position in a bank (IB path). Now I am studying for GMAT to potentially get an MBA, but after MBA I would still pursue IB. My background is in technology, and through networking, I was able to secure a few interviews. Now I am trying to understand whether it is better to start at the entry level or do MBA and skip a few levels with larger opportuntiy cost -> I would be quitting my job to do MBA for 2 years. Ty!”
“Hi guys, Im fortunate enough to be a rising senior at a top 5 undergraduate business school who is currently working at a elite boutique investment bank. While the pay is top notch ( first year ~120k, expected bonus 80-100% salary) and a return offer is nearly guaranteed through the internship, Im not sure if the career is right for me. Living in a big city combined with strenuous hours makes me wonder if I can do this for two years without becoming depressed. My major is finance and business an”
“Hi everyone, I need your help or advise as to whether i should stay in the industry or try my luck elsewhere. For context, i am currently working at an investment bank as a derivatives dealer. This would be my 4th year here. Currently i am focused on sales, but i also do campaigns & events for my team. My team is wonderful, everyone is very supportive, kind and patient. I feel like it would be such a loss to leave a good team behind but i feel like i am stuck. I don’t imagine myself doing th”
“I’m 22F and I completed CFA Level 1 in August 2025. Initially, I was planning to continue with Level 2, but after looking at the current job market and salaries, I honestly started doubting whether it’s worth investing more time and money. It feels like everyone is doing CFA these days, the competition is huge, and on top of that AI is advancing so fast. I know AI won’t replace everything overnight, but it does make me worry about future opportunities. Because of this, I’ve been thinking about d”
“Hi guys, Im fortunate enough to be a rising senior at a top 5 undergraduate business school who is currently working at a elite boutique investment bank. While the pay is top notch ( first year ~120k, expected bonus 80-100% salary) and a return offer is nearly guaranteed through the internship, Im not sure if the career is right for me. Living in a big city combined with strenuous hours makes me wonder if I can do this for two years without becoming depressed. My major is finance and business an”
“I have spoken to a few banks in NC, and all three have been looking to hire an RM with an existing pipeline/book of business. I have been an RM for 6 years, with all my business getting referred to me through various channels, but ofc this mean a heavy comp discount. I want to find a job as a commercial RM, or business banking team lead, but it seems like most banks want someone with an existing book. Anyone know if banks are hiring for commercial RM's or BB team lead where they would start”
“Can people just share insights on how they are understanding the state of the IB associate job market ? I've heard very mixed views and opinions on MBA hiring. Some banks have stopped MBA associate programs entirely while others have reopened them. Is there a difference for non MBA associates? There’s been a lot of turnover in the industry and layoffs and yet some teams say they’re swapped and need associates but can’t find ones with great experience. Is there deal activity? Are groups hirin”
“I have ug in business with decent gpa, within their 80% range, probably below average Cfa level 2 cleared Currently, in my first year at kpmg in deals advisory Gre quant 167 Proficient in python Can I get the admit? submitted by /u/Armstein14 [link] [comments]”
“currently interning at one of the biggest banks in the country in building software for the market. however, I kind of dislike the work to be completely honest and I do not enjoy the amount of brain dead AI coding my manager keeps asking me to do. I enjoyed the process of speaking to traders and various teams though and understanding what they need and trying to make those processes more seamless. I also used to like product management but almost everyone I have spoken to told me that product is”
“I am interested in finance/Fintech/investment and economics but finding the right degree is so confusing. What possible degree or certification are there to get into finance as your career ? For eg, should I pursue BBA, B economics, or certification like ACCA , CFA , CPA , ...? Or something else entirely..? Can people actually say what they studied/their degree and what they are currently doing/their career or roles ? PS: Just graduated from high school. submitted by /u/Lost_in_theoc”
“Hi all, Looking for honest opinions here. I'm a UK national currently based outside the UK, planning to do a Master's in Finance (leaning real estate finance/asset management) and trying to decide between UK and US universities. My hesitation with the UK is I keep seeing pretty gloomy takes on the economy right now, and I'm wondering if that's translating into a genuinely worse entry-level finance job market compared to the US. On paper, going to a UK uni should be the easier pat”
“I am assuming you are an RB at Wells Fargo. I'd personally go for a CSA (Client Service Associate) position at an investment firm or look up FA academies and find a good program. Charles Schwab's is very competitive but a great program, Merrill Lynch's is way less competitive but it's much harder to graduate as the requirements and goals are actually pretty hard, although not impossible. The CSA route is much more relaxed and can still lead to an FA role, but it would take longer”
“You have to move banks. For whatever reason this industry refuses to reward people for staying around. The absolute worst thing you can do is kill it one year and then stay in the same role the next year competing against your own performance. I started my career at one of the big three, changed roles every 18 months until I made to it business banking, then went to a smaller bank for a big raise. In my experience, you're better off crushing it for a year and then doing whatever you have to”
“Gun to my head and say youre fed up at Chase. Your best bet is to transfer branches or markets or stick it out and wait to get promoted to advisor or brm. Youre not gonna get into private bank or anything like that just yet with the little work experience you have. Youre gonna have to grind for the next few years in some capacity. I chose the business banking route after RB. I enjoy it. People wanna be advisors. Thats an option too.”