How is every last kid going into Investment Banking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well if it makes you feel better, I think GS is to be avoided.

The GS people I've met have been highly-educated and bright, to be sure, but not exactly pro-social. I could give examples of greed, lying, and failing to prioritize family and interests outside of work. But I've found readers are not shocked and don't really care.

Goldman is a gigantic company with tens of thousands of people. As much as they claim to have a defined culture, they don't. Each team is different and unique. You can't generalize about them based on the few people you have met there. I have met a bunch of jerks there, but also some wonderful people. Similar to almost every other company. One could say "the XYZ desk of 20 people at Goldman is awful."

[Anonymous]

How can you not see that this is something specific to you and your kids’ social circle? Snd your reddit reading habits?

I know one kid interested in IB and about 9 premeds. Obviously that has to do with my kids’ suitemates and I’m not out here thinking 9/10 kids is premed!

[Anonymous]

Haven’t read through all the comments but I think I agree that it may be less meritocratic and more “culture fit” (ie nepo) than the work-your-way-up-from-the-mailroom 60’s or just-ruthlessly-step-on-everyone 80’s.
And yeah sure not everyone will and among the stars. But there’s still plenty of sell side/underwriters side, middle market, small-cap bla bla to keep people employed

[Anonymous]

It's a realistic career path, even for FGLI, if and only if you go to the right school and network with the right people while in school.

If the Ivies and Ivy-adjacent schools like Duke, UChicago, Amherst, etc., are out of reach, look for a known Wall Street feeder on the next tier like Bucknell, Colgate, or Richmond, and network like crazy from your first day on campus. Join a top-tier fraternity, get to know the alums, and make the career center your second home. And yes, be ready to log some serious hours doing work that is far from mentally stimulating or spiritually fulfilling, especially your first two years on The Street.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what to say, OP. My kid does not want to be an investment banker and none of their friends want to be investment bankers. They mostly want to scientists, doctors, engineers.

[Anonymous]

This is indeed an increasing trend. I graduated from Brown in 90s and don't remember kids who cared about this stuff--Brown didn't attract that kind of kid. Now my daughter is there and surrounded by kids obsessed with these clubs (not her circle of friends, just kids in dorm):

https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025/10/pre-professional-club-leaders-note-influx-of-eager-first-year-applicants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few things to note:

1. Every kid going to work at a big bank will claim they are "investment bankers." Many of them are actually in middle office or back office.

100% true, even at my T10 back in the 1990s! LOL.

2. I am very skeptical about AI. But AI will soon be making the demand for these roles less, as a lot of it is timely grunt work that is perfect for AI.

3, These stupid finance or banking clubs at schools are glorified ponzi schemes that make my skin crawl. I wish Wall Street (I work on Wall Street but don't do much hiring) would purposely hire kids not affiliated with them and go back to just hiring smart, well-rounded kids who might not have as strong of a finance background but will work hard to figure it out then stick them in a training program and they will be caught up with all of the finance club dorks very quickly.

4. Working on Wall Street right out of college is a great way to make good money, get a crash course in finance and how the business world works, make connections and interact with smart people. One must go in being willing to leave quickly. And go for the best fit in terms of personalities and type of work. Don't just chase "prestige."

It is also often best to start away from NYC where the hours tend to be better, apartments etc. are more affordable and teams are smaller. You might not do the super high profile deals but you will learn a lot and actually might be a more attractive candidate for grad school if that's what you end up wanting.

+1 for Charlotte

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reason #847 why I’m not sending my child to private HS or college. The world view is so skewed and bizarre. I don’t want them in these circles.

Except that OP says their kid is at a state school, and he's still seeing this. But OP is proving more than a bit dim.

[Anonymous]

There's endless chatter on the front end, as these kids discuss their interest in IB, share tips and info, and otherwise chase these jobs.

Some land them. Most don't. I would love to hear from that second group of kids (or their parents) about what they do instead, after the endlessly-discussed IB plan falls through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reason #847 why I’m not sending my child to private HS or college. The world view is so skewed and bizarre. I don’t want them in these circles.

Except that OP says their kid is at a state school, and he's still seeing this. But OP is proving more than a bit dim.

Read the Brown article as one example before you criticize

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a realistic career path, even for FGLI, if and only if you go to the right school and network with the right people while in school.

If the Ivies and Ivy-adjacent schools like Duke, UChicago, Amherst, etc., are out of reach, look for a known Wall Street feeder on the next tier like Bucknell, Colgate, or Richmond, and network like crazy from your first day on campus. Join a top-tier fraternity, get to know the alums, and make the career center your second home. And yes, be ready to log some serious hours doing work that is far from mentally stimulating or spiritually fulfilling, especially your first two years on The Street.

From The Top Tier Frat straight to The Street!

LFG!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reason #847 why I’m not sending my child to private HS or college. The world view is so skewed and bizarre. I don’t want them in these circles.

Except that OP says their kid is at a state school, and he's still seeing this. But OP is proving more than a bit dim.

Read the Brown article as one example before you criticize

I've read the Brown article, and yes I understand the "excellent sheep" trends. This has nothing to do with the fact that OP's analysis and conclusions show that he is in fact "dim."

[Anonymous]

Are you just figuring out this is how the world works?

[Anonymous]

Just come to DC and work for Carlyle.

[Anonymous]

Read Liar's Poker