Investment Banking vs Tech
Hey I’m a software engineer with a masters in physics. I work in machine learning: image recognition specifically. Should I or COULD I go into investment banking? I want to do more than write code and the work in IB seems really interesting. What do you guys think? I’m 30 yes old by the way.
bro at that age unless you get into an M7 MBA (ideally HSW) youre not getting into IB
I don’t know what any of this means I have a friend who is a VP at a firm I think I could pull strings and get an analyst position
M7 = top 7 MBA. HSW = harvard stanford wharton. Usually IB hiring is very structured and on campus. I guess with some connections you can skip that but as an analyst you need to churn out Excel models and Powerpoint slides (very boring work) very quickly and for long periods of time. Personally I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a salesperson at heart and want to do deals for a living eventually. Also FYI vp is not very senior
Go look at WSO. They wish they were SWE
What is WSO? Really? Wow the grass is always greener huh. Are you in IB?
WSO Wall Street Oasis
What about the work seems interesting to you? The comp is the main benefit of “high finance” - the actual work is generally less interesting and the hours are much longer.
The part that interests me is the connection you can make and the knowledge of selling and buying companies what do you look at, sometimes companies are bought for patents, etc seems way cooler than tech to be honest again I may be naive
The part that sounds interesting to you almost sounds more like ER. IB itself I’ve always described as like being a real estate agent for companies 😂
30 is too old for IB. You will get nervous breakdown.
>COULD I go into investment banking? So unless you have someone who can directly hire you for an analyst role, which could be a huge Hail Mary and risk for them, it would be very very difficult for you to get into IBD. The market isn't good for juniors right now with M&A volumes down, you have no prior experience in finance, you are too old (analysts are typically young 20s) and you might need a top MBA to get into the recruiting cycle. >Should I go into investment banking? This really depends on what your long term career goals are but if it's higher compensation, just be aware this won't bear fruit until 5-6+ years later, if you are lucky. >IB seems really interesting. I think you need a more compelling reason that this. IB is still a very sell side role and you'll be working 80+ hours a week and be an excel/powerpoint monkey.
Don’t do this. As someone previously in IB, I strongly urge you to reconsider. It’s not a “career choice”, it’s a lifestyle choice. Yes Associates get paid $350k-$500k and VPs get paid $500k-$750k (granted these figures might be lower going forward), but you’re working 80 hour weeks and it will wreak havoc on your personal life. What they don’t tell you? Almost all senior bankers have horrible relationships with their significant other and their kids. Ask if $5M-$10M net worth by early 40s (based on your current age) is worth sacrificing your relationships, health, hobbies and (to some degree) your soul for.
This guy speaks the truth .
90% of investment banking is just working on power points and getting yelled at by your superiors doesn’t seem that interesting to me
You are 30, why do you want to go to IB? Is it for the exit opps? With your Microsoft experience, you can probably get an MBA and, if you're scrappy and fight hard enough, get an investment seat at a tech-focused PE, GE or VC firm. Or do you just want to do business in general? Do an MBA and break into MBB then. It's not that you *can't* get into IB; you likely can, assuming you do an MBA and apply on-cycle. The question is just why do you want to go into IB at that age. It's like 100 hour work weeks and you will be treated like shit. IB at the MBA level is extremely easy to get into if you are at an M7 MBA. MBB is more difficult.
I’m a SWE preparing for MBA admissions for the next cycle so I can pivot to consulting. I think it’s a great switch. I don’t want to be a code monkey all my life.
Exactly! Why the MBA you can’t just pivot?
Can I dm you?