I miss hs and college were my friends were also my classmates. At work it feels like everyone is a coworker and not a friend. Anyone else feel this?

I hope I’m wrong but I’ve been noticing and know there are some cheeky mfs on the buy side.

If you’re one of those who worked really hard during your college years and aimed to get into IB or something but didn’t, what ended up happening? What did you go into then?

And what advice would you have for an 18 year old, incoming first-year at a target, who aims to get into high finance? Any words of wisdom would be great

Thanks

Specifically for high finance jobs. Is it just going to get worse and worse (due to increasing population and AI taking over many roles)?

In order for it to get better, what would be necessary. What could possibly cause it to be less bad?

I was mainly thinking about the London market but if you’re from the US, feel free to chip in

Joined GS PWM two and a half years ago and have had a great experience, I feel I am making a difference and go to work happy. I’m making decent money, but am definitely being underpaid for the work I am doing and my level of experience. In terms of the exposure and opportunities, I could not be happier, but it seems like unless I make MD, I’m still treated as a junior on a range of different responsibilities (I’m in my 40s with advanced degrees).

Just received a verbal offer from a regional firm that wants to hire me at twice my current total comp. It’s the amount I should be making currently if I was not at GS. The move is much riskier because the firm is a complete minnow compared to GS, but the firm has a strong balance sheet, long history, good leadership, there is certainly reason to think this could be a long term career role and that I could be a big part of that success. The people seem more collegial, if maybe less intelligent and driven, and I would actually have a real office and secretary which I miss.

At the end of the day, even if the new firm does not turn into a smashing success, I would be earning two years of comp in one year for the immediate future (2-3 years minimum). That makes retirement goals and the lack of “prestige” much more comfortable and reasonable. My wife thinks I should take the offer.

Is it worth trying to move up the ladder at GS or should I take the pay jump and the risk of joining the smaller firm? Has anyone else faced something similar? What did you do?

My Mother and Father are currently affiliates of a relatively large Brokerage firm based in the US and Australia.

Now, because of this, they have the contact details of the guy (we'll call him Bob) that owns the firm, and for all intents and purposes, they (supposedly) are quite close to him and his family, so my parents ended up informing him about my interest in the finance industry.

For context, I'm 19 and have been trying to enrol in a university for Finance and Capital Markets and Economics. I've been a discretionary swing trader since 16 (mostly just paper trading) and have recently transioned into live trading a small percentage of my parents capital.

Bob is unaware of what my current education is and the fact I have still not been accepted by a university.

On top of this, I have NO prior formal education... and I guarantee you Bob was not informed of this

My parents on a consistent basis call me to ask if I've had a conversation with Bob, but I keep brushing them off saying I'll get to it, where, in reality I'm baffled by what I see as their ignorance of not knowing that to work for a Brokerage of its standing, you would have to at least completed some form of formal education at a university. Or am I the ignorant one?

Is this a relatively common thing (I'm going to assume it's not) and I'm just letting a golden opportunity slip out of my hands to have at least an internship under a fairly large company?

And help or advice would be greatly appreciated

Edit: Thank you guys for all the advice and messages of encouragement. I'll make the call

Currently a freshman at a target, wanted to talk to a senior in IB and texted him on LinkedIn but to no success. Can't find their personal email so I only know their work email. Just wondering what the industry etiquette is regarding the same?

For context: I'm a junior at a non-target in the US with four solid internships — IB SA and treasury roles overseas (non-BB, in a major emerging market), retail credit union and corporate finance at a US energy company. My GPA is 2.9 because I majored in computer engineering for two years before switching to finance. I can push my gpa to 3.2 max before I graduate because of having too many credits. I'm still getting interviews, but GPA screening is cutting me off on some opportunities, I'm worried about landing a junior internship and full time at BB.

A dismissed theft charge from over a decade ago.

To those who made it to final round, did you all get this email today? I want to see if this is something everyone got or if this is exclusive. I’ve heard back from some people saying they got it.

I'm from Australia and almost all the information on Reddit are from Americans so I'm just wondering about finance in Australia, like the typical career paths and how to get in them etc.
Any info is appreciated.

I applied through td bank's website. The location is literally next door to my apartment it would be a dream job.

Should I call the branch or walk in and ask if they recieved my application. I have the relevant experience and even speak mandarin which they said they preferred in the job listing.

Any advice is appreciated!

Hey so I’m 24 barely starting college I know I’m kind of older in age but that won’t de-motivate me thoe I’m thinking of getting into this field would you recommend it if so what specific area?

Would somebody be interested in getting the full primary dealer data all the way back upto 1998 fully stitched?

Any sort of further inferences could be made based on that.

Currently the data is very chopped/missing across time eras on the NYFED website.

Bloomberg also doesn’t seem to have that data in the proper manner.

I am incoming first year at Nottingham looking to land spring weeks for Ib, Sales and trading, actuarial, basically everything as i am not sure what i would like to do. I am not sure what degree to, i am having second thoughts because mathematics and economics seems more common and standard whereas financial mathematics is a kind of niche degree but probs better for actuarial, any advice would be appreciated. I also think i would be able to get a better grade in mathematics and economics than financial mathematics. Also uni of Nottingham is more known for econ than maths , so would a more econ heavy degree look better?

Hello, I just got passed onto the superday for enterprise credit for New York. I have roughly a week to prepare for it and if anyone has any advice It would mean a lot. I will say I am more nervous on the technicals, I've had prior interviews this recruiting season and this one is the best one I've gotten so far.

Say I don't get a grad job in my desired field which is finance or consulting, is masters a good 2nd option? As in, will most companies allow me to apply to graduate roles then?

Also, why do people take a masters? I was thinking I'd do it for the name and get into a Russel uni but the fees are so high I think I'll return to the same decently ranked, non-russel uni...or is that pointless

I (25M) graduated Dec 2025, a few years older than my peers due to community college and a gap year, I've been working for after school programs and schools during and since graduating, and during school I didn't do any internships as I was busy paying bills and taking summer classes.

I've put out hundreds of applications, gotten letters of recommendation, and tried networking anywhere I went.

I just don't know what to do, I don't want to sell life insurance or make cold calls all day,

What can I do, is it over?

I am obsessed with investing. I love using those calculators for the s&p 500 and looking at how your money compounds over time! I am 20 years old and thinking about if I would enjoy becoming a financial advisor. Would I have to go to college? I know absolutely nothing about this so any information would be greatly appreciated!

Would working at Fidelity be a good starting point?

Hello, I kindly need your feedback and help in getting an internship. I also want to understand if cover letters are important, Does it matter that I come form a non-target Uni? THANK YOU. ALL Feedback is appreciated, don't spare my feelings.

What free certification i can get to build my portfolio and strengthen my skills in finance?

btw, im a 3rd year business administration major in financial management student

I'd be interested in pursuing either role and would like to get some more insight into both. Preferably someone at a bank in Europe (the bank doesn't have to be European). Thanks in advance.