I’m 17 and live in Eastern Europe. Investment banking has always fascinated me and my dream is to work on Wall Street someday. The problem is I probably can’t afford to study in the US for my bachelor’s degree. My plan right now is to go to my local business school here and maybe try to get into a good European MBA program afterward like INSEAD or LBS.
Is it even possible to land an IB job in NYC coming from this path? I keep reading conflicting things online. Some posts say you absolutely need to graduate from Harvard, Wharton or similar schools. But then I see other people saying they made it through connections and hard work. When I look at LinkedIn profiles of people working at Goldman or JP Morgan, they seem to come from all sorts of backgrounds. Is this mostly because they had great connections or just got lucky?
Another thing I’m wondering about is how to actually build relationships in this industry when you’re starting from nowhere. People keep saying networking is key but it has to be a two-way street. What could someone like me possibly offer to senior bankers or recruiters? I feel like I have nothing of value to give them right now.
I’m trying to be realistic but also optimistic since I have several years to prepare. Any thoughts or experiences would be super helpful.
Welcome to reality. Yeah, people make it from non-targets, but you’ll work twice as hard for half the recognition. Those LinkedIn profiles? Most had connections or got in when times were better. Everyone wants to be an investment banker now. Your European MBA plan isn’t bad, but it won’t magically open doors. You’re still competing against Ivy League grads who’ve been groomed for this since birth. Networking with nothing to offer is tough.
you’re overthinking this. yeah, target schools matter, but i’ve seen people break in through weird paths - one guy did big4 audit, then jumped to bb coverage. your eastern european background might actually help since banks want geographic diversity on their teams. focus on solid internships first, build technical skills, and stop thinking you have ‘nothing to offer’ - enthusiasm goes way further than you think.
Look, I won’t sugarcoat it - you’re facing an uphill battle, but it’s definitely doable. Had a colleague who started at a regional European bank, did his MBA at INSEAD, then moved to Morgan Stanley NYC. The key was getting relevant experience first instead of jumping straight from undergrad. Your plan makes sense because European banks have solid relationships with US firms. Don’t stress about having ‘nothing to offer’ - your fresh perspective and hunger will come through. Start following banking news religiously and reach out to alumni from your target schools who work in IB.
Absolutely! I know plenty of people who made it to Wall Street from non-target schools. Crush your grades, build real relationships, and show you’re passionate about finance. Your European background is actually a plus - top banks love diverse experiences!