Hey everyone,
I need some honest advice about breaking into investment banking in New York City. My background is pretty non-standard and I want to know if I’m being realistic about my chances.
I got my BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Law from Binghamton (graduated cum laude). Then I did an MSc in Business Management at University of Edinburgh with tons of finance and accounting classes. My thesis was about international private equity deals.
After school I interned at a European PE fund that focused on special situations. They offered me a full-time IB role in Germany which I took for about 6 months. But then I left to work in my family business doing big development projects in Europe and the Middle East. I know this took me off the normal finance track but it was too good to pass up.
Now it’s been 1.5 years and I want back into investment banking. I moved back to NYC and got an unpaid internship at a smaller IB that does deals from $35M to $500M. They basically get overflow deals from bigger banks. The cool thing is I get to work with about 30 managing directors. They don’t hire junior people because it’s set up for experienced bankers who want bigger deal splits.
I took this internship because I figured getting hired directly would be tough with my weird background. The MDs said they’d give me referrals if I do well. Usually they work with MBA students but made an exception for me.
So here’s my situation - I’m 27, graduated 2 years ago, and have this mixed background. I might be too old for analyst roles but don’t have enough direct experience for associate positions. I think I have the technical skills but IB recruiting seems pretty rigid.
How realistic is it for someone like me to land a full-time IB role? What should I be doing to improve my odds? Is this internship strategy actually going to work?
Thanks for any advice you can share.
Had a similar path - weird background, family business, all that. The internship strategy’s solid, especially with 30 MDs who could vouch for you. I’ve seen weirder backgrounds work out. Your PE experience in Germany matters more than you think - that’s real experience. It’s all about the story - frame that family business time as entrepreneurial finance, not some random detour. And 27 isn’t old at all. Network hard with those MDs and expect to start as senior analyst at a mid-tier shop first.
Look, you’re not as unique as you think. At 27 with gaps and family business detours, you’ll face real challenges. That unpaid internship at a no-name shop screams desperation. Those MDs promising referrals? They’re just being polite - they tell everyone that. Your best shot is grinding at the smaller place and hoping someone gives you a chance. Don’t expect bulge bracket offers. The industry doesn’t care about your philosophy degree or European adventures.
Your international experience is probably worth more than you think. Boutiques are always looking for people who get cross-border deals. That Edinburgh MSc plus German IB work proves you can handle complex stuff. Don’t worry about age - I’ve seen plenty of 28-29 year olds land analyst roles at solid places. Skip the BB applications and target middle market shops that’ll actually appreciate what you bring.
Your path isn’t impossible, but timing’s working against you. Most banks wrap up analyst hiring by spring for summer starts, so you’re fighting the recruiting calendar. The boutique internship gives you solid deal exposure - use it to build real relationships with MDs. Don’t just ask for referrals. Ask about specific openings at their old firms or portfolio companies. Your international PE background actually sets you apart from other career changers. Target middle-market banks first instead of bulge brackets. They care more about diverse experience than pedigree. Keep detailed records of your deal work and be ready to explain why you’re sticking with banking this time.