<p>Is corportate finance part of investment banking because I've tried to do some research on this forum and I see that this is normally a speciality in IB. Yet on this site, <a href="http://www.careers-in-business.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.careers-in-business.com</a>, it lists it seperate from I-Banking. My question is how does one break into this field then (ie do you need to go to a target school, what major needed in undergrad, MBA needed or not, etc.), and also, since I'm into computers, is there anything technologically related to this field? Finally, how are the hours in this field? I'm assuming since its linked to I-banking that it will be a super lucrative field, but I am turned off by I-banking because I don't want to work extreme hours for the rest of my life. If Ibanking is needed to break in, I don't mind doing it for 2-3 years, but after that, how hard bad are the conditions in such a profession?</p>
<p>I'm no expert on finance but I would assume that corporate finance is the finance performed in the finance department of any corporation and thus is not generally linked to I-Banking.</p>
<p>california - you raise many quesitons. </p>
<p>"Corporate finance" is a wide category of functions which surround how companies raise, manage and invest capital, including the degree of financial leverage, whether the company is public or private, etc. It is a very broad term.</p>
<p>Investment bankers, to a large degree, are engaged in "corporate finance" - assisting the buyers and sellers of companies and arranging financing for same. Investment banking is also a very broad term.</p>
<p>As for the hours, yes, baby investment bankers tend to work legendary hours, similar to baby lawyers - 80 or 90 hours per week in some cases, weekends much of the time, etc. Because the client largely drives the timeframe, a fast-moving process involving a large deal can involve very demanding hours. If you don;t like that kind of thing, even 2-3 years will seem like a lifetime. Generally investment bankers are highly competitive, went to strong schools, and typically have MBAs from good schools. Those credentials will get you interviews, but will not guarantee success. (Conversely, a very disciplined, smart and street-wise graduate from an average school can also find sucess.) </p>
<p>People in the tech/systems areas tend to work for financial firms' back offices, not with clients. They are more like highly sophisticated plumbers working behind the scenes. (Not a slight.)</p>
<p>The most highly paid investment bankers tend to be highly paid because they are extremely bright, hard working, and have "paid their dues" with those 80- hour weeks. But achieving success requires continuing to perform at a high level in very competitive conditions. Even experienced bankers often work very demanding hours. </p>
<p>To educate yourself read the Wall Street Journal everyday - cover to cover. watch the money shows on CNBC. If that turns you off, find another major.</p>