HOW TO GET STARTED IN INVESTMENT BANKING AFTER MBA? 8 SMART MOVES FOR AMBITIOUS GRADS

How to Get Started in Investment Banking After MBA? 8 Smart Moves for Ambitious Grads

How to Get Started in Investment Banking After MBA? 8 Smart Moves for Ambitious Grads

Blog Article

Let’s face it: investment banking is a dream job for many MBA students — fast-paced, intellectually demanding, and financially rewarding. But breaking into the field is no easy feat. The competition is intense, and investment banks are selective. That’s why so many people ask: How to get started in investment banking after MBA?

Whether you’re coming from a finance background or pivoting from a different industry, this guide walks you through the eight smartest moves to launch your post-MBA investment banking career.

1. Understand the Investment Banking Landscape


Before you jump in, make sure you understand what investment banking actually involves. It’s not just about big deals and bigger bonuses. IB professionals work on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, IPOs, and financial advisory.

There are different types of banks you might target:

  • Bulge Bracket Banks (e.g., Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley)

  • Elite Boutique Firms (e.g., Evercore, Lazard, Centerview)

  • Middle-Market Banks (e.g., Houlihan Lokey, Raymond James)


Knowing the players helps you craft a tailored entry strategy — a crucial step in how to get started in investment banking after MBA.

2. Target the Right MBA Program


If you're still deciding where to pursue your MBA, this is key: go to a business school that investment banks actively recruit from. Top-tier MBA programs offer:

  • On-campus recruiting with major banks

  • Structured internship pipelines

  • Investment banking clubs and competitions

  • Strong alumni networks on Wall Street


Schools like Wharton, Columbia, Booth, NYU Stern, and London Business School are some of the most bank-friendly. That said, if you’re at a non-target school, you’ll just need to lean more on netwrking — which leads us to the next step.

3. Start Networking — Yesterday


Your connections could make or break your IB job hunt. Investment banks value people who’ve done their research, connected with employees, and shown consistent interest.

Start by:

  • Reaching out to alumni in banking

  • Scheduling informational interviews (virtual or in-person)

  • Attending campus presentations and networking nights

  • Following up with personalized thank-you emails


Networking isn’t just about asking for jobs. It’s about building relationships, learning the culture, and demonstrating genuine interest. Want to know how to get started in investment banking after MBA? This is a major pillar.

4. Sharpen Your Technical and Financial Skills


Yes, you're an MBA, but you still need to prove your technical skills. Expect to be tested on topics like:

  • Financial statement analysis

  • Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) models

  • Comparable company analysis

  • Precedent transaction valuations

  • Leveraged buyouts (LBOs)


Use online platforms like Breaking Into Wall Street, Wall Street Prep, or Corporate Finance Institute to practice. Form study groups with classmates, and do mock interviews early and often.

5. Secure a Summer Internship — It’s Critical


Here’s the inside scoop: most full-time investment banking jobs go to former interns. That means your summer internship after first year MBA is your most direct path into a full-time offer.

To land that internship:

  • Prepare your résumé and story by October of your first year

  • Apply to a mix of bulge bracket, boutique, and regional banks

  • Practice both behavioral and technical interview questions

  • Show up hungry, curious, and coachable


Summer recruiting moves fast, and most positions are filled by January. If you're asking how to get started in investment banking after MBA, this step is non-negotiable.

6. Deliver Like a Rockstar During Your Internship


Once you land the internship, your next goal is to earn the return offer. Treat every project, no matter how small, as an opportunity to shine.

Here’s what top interns do:

  • Stay organized and detail-oriented

  • Ask smart questions — but not too many

  • Show up early, leave late, and be ready to hustle

  • Build relationships with analysts, associates, and VPs

  • Take feedback seriously and implement it immediately


If you perform well, odds are good you’ll receive a full-time offer by the end of the summer.

7. Don’t Panic if You Don’t Get the Offer


Not everyone lands the internship, and not every intern gets a return offer. But don’t let that derail your IB dreams. Here are some alternative paths:

  • Lateral hiring at boutique or regional banks

  • Transaction advisory roles at Big 4 firms

  • Corporate finance or FP&A roles with exposure to M&A

  • Post-MBA rotational programs with a financial focus


Plenty of people break into IB laterally. The key is to stay close to deal work, keep building your network, and be ready when the opportunity arises.

8. Stay Informed and Stay Visible


To stand out in interviews and conversations, follow market news, major M&A deals, and IPO trends. A few must-follow sources:

  • Wall Street Journal

  • Financial Times

  • Bloomberg

  • MergerMarket


Comment on LinkedIn, publish short posts about industry trends, and stay top-of-mind with your contacts. Your personal brand matters, even in finance.

Final Thoughts


So, how to get started in investment banking after MBA? The short version:

Pick the right school
 Network like a pro
 Master your technicals
 Land the internship
 Convert it into a full-time offer

It’s a grind, no doubt. But if you follow the process, keep learning, and maintain your drive, investment banking is absolutely within reach.

Report this page