Survived (Barely) Year One in Investment Banking – AMA

Made It Through Year One in Investment Banking – Ask Me Anything!

I’ve officially completed my first year in investment banking, and it feels like I’ve lived a decade’s worth of experiences.

I’ve navigated the chaos of last-minute emergencies and intense calls from managing directors. Feel free to ask me anything in the comments, or message me privately if you’d prefer discretion.

Here are a few key insights I’ve gained:

• The first year is all about survival. While no one expects you to be exceptional, avoid making basic mistakes. The expectations shift rapidly once the grace period is over.

• The tasks themselves aren’t particularly challenging; it’s the long hours that are tough. After about 12 hours, even simple math can seem like rocket science, but you’re still expected to deliver flawless work.

• Some semblance of work/life balance is achievable, but only if it doesn’t interfere with your job performance.

• The salary is impressive, but when you break it down to an hourly rate, it’s disheartening. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve opened a blank Excel sheet just to tally this up and suppress a tear.

I’m here to answer any questions you may have!