<p>I mean, for jobs like doctors where you need to study a lot of anatomy, biology, etc. you take a lot of those classes in high school so you know whether you're good in science or not. But for investment banking, there really is no way to know BEFORE going to college. I mean, I'm a senior in HS and I'm interested in Finance, but I really have no classes that would tell me what ibanking would be like.</p>
<p>Test scores. Academic competitions.</p>
<p>Banks like national merit finalists, national academic metals, and the like. You are good at EVERYTHING you do. Science, english, math, computer programming... w/e it may be, you can learn it in 30 minutes or less. And you're sooooo arrogant that you beat just about everyone that goes up against you, except for your colleagues. Because that is just bad networking.</p>
<p>Investment Banking is, for the most part, not the most intellectually stimulating career in the world. Most of what you need to know you learn on the job though. You've got plenty of time, see if you enjoy finance and economics and don't mind working a lot</p>
<p>Talk with some people in finance, and see if you can get an internship with them. Take some courses in finance, math, economics and if you do well I guess that's a plus. IB ain't that intellectually stimulating, and yeah like most banks teach you on the job.</p>
<p>Read Monkey Business.</p>
<p>It has almost everything you need to know about the IBD.</p>
<p>No one is cut out for banking. If you love money, are disciplined and somewhat smart, you'll put up with the crap to get the money.</p>
<p>Is it really that bad?</p>
<p>IBanking is not exactly an intellectual's job...</p>
<p>If you actually want to be intellectually engaged you'd probably be better off on the trading floor than in an IBD/M&A cube making powerpoints. Just try not to get stuck in an equities group.</p>
<p>Those who claim it's not an intellectual job have clearly never worked in ibanking. There are different areas requiring different skill sets and some of the smartest people and most intellectual fill many roles. </p>
<p>I'd say in general strong quant skills are important in any role, world class quant skills in many roles. Strong social skills for corp finance/M & A. The willingness to work long hours and hop on a plane without packing is key.</p>
<p>The above assumes your interest is in a front office job. The majority of employees play roles you see in any organization like secretary or accountant.</p>
<p>"There are different areas requiring different skill sets and some of the smartest people and most intellectual fill many roles."</p>
<p>I've never worked in an investment bank before, but I do not see how the statement above makes ibanking an intellectual job.</p>
<p>My S is working in high finance. He has repeatedly told me that the people he's met in the industry are extremely smart and hard working. His job requires a lot of deep analysis and critical thinking skills and he has to constantly think of fresh ideas to achieve the goals his company and his clients set out for him. I wouldn't say that this is not intellectual . If you can't do that, you won't last too long in the industry and perhaps that is why there are so many turnovers. The people who don't utilize intellectual skills to perform are gone and won't get promoted. </p>
<p>My S was promoted after his stint as an analyst. He's now working in a PE shop and was just told by his boss that he's not targeted to be laid off.</p>
<p>isnt it great how people would "compete" for promotions and now you "compete" to not get fired (sarcasm)</p>
<p>Millhouse, you will find that getting into Wharton will be a cakewalk compared to the competitions that you will encounter after wards if you want to stay in high finance. For a lot of people, the challenge comes from within oneself. Meritocracy at work.</p>
<p>heh thanks for boosting my confidence :P</p>
<p>It should be noted that there is a difference between having brilliant minds in a field and the job itself being particularly intellectual. And yes, I've worked in an Investment Bank. I think if you talk to most people, no BS, they'd probably agree that for the most part it doesn't really push your brain much at all.</p>
<p>That wouldn't be the answer of most I've worked with for 25 years at a BB firm. Ibanks hire the top students from the top colleges. This would not go on just for money if the career was not rewarding for the very smart.</p>
<p>I believe they hire top students mainly for their work ethics, not for their brilliant minds.</p>
<p>Then there's no need to go top schools, they can also find hard working students at state schools too. Even in community colleges.</p>
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I believe they hire top students mainly for their work ethics, not for their brilliant minds.
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Then there's no need to go top schools, they can also find hard working students at state schools too. Even in community colleges.
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<p>They could, but their success ratio in finding good candidates isn't going to be as high.</p>