Learn about how to become an investment banker.
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Investment bankers are the rock stars of the finance industry—their jobs are high profile, high pressure and high status within the finance field.
Investment banking, like rock stardom, is not for the faint of heart, as the profession demands long hours, working weekends and an often stressful, competitive environment.
With all of the career's mystique, it's easy to lose sight of what investment banking is actually all about. Essentially, investment bankers help companies raise money by creating securities—stocks, bonds and other financial entities—to be sold in capital markets.
They also structure the complex financial details that accompany a business's choice to buy and sell assets or to acquire or merge with other companies.
Not only does investment banking require the fortitude to navigate high-stakes sales, it also demands a highly accurate combination of analytical and numerical skills. Even with these abilities, however, it is difficult to advance without an MBA degree. Many people put in a few years in a junior analyst position, then return to school to get a graduate degree, and then come back to the investment banking firm to continue their career at a higher echelon and with far less rigorous time expectations. Investment banking is certainly not for everyone, but those who fit the mold get paid exceedingly well in big base salaries and often bigger bonuses. To begin working towards an investment banking career, find finance bachelor's, MBA and master's degrees.
| Entry Level | Mid Level | Senior Level | |
| Types of Roles | Investment banking analyst | Associate investment banker, vice president | Director, senior vice president, management consultant |
| Experience | 0 - 2 years | 3 - 8 years | 9+ years |
| Getting There |
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| Salary* | $50,000 - $110,000 | $185,000 - $375,000 | $300,000 - $1,000,000+ |
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* Depends on company size, specific job, and location
Sources: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), Princeton Review, Salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CollegeJournal.com, Monster.com
Northeastern University - College of Business Administration
Northeastern offers its AACSB-accredited MBA program in a 100% online format. They are a world leader in practice-based education focused on expanding students' managerial skills and knowledge base.
Walden University - School of Management
Walden University has unique and flexible online delivery models, world-class faculty and customizable programs which are all geared to help adult learners achieve their career goals.
American InterContinental University Online
AIU Online offers convenient, flexible alternatives that enable you to fit a career-focused education into your current lifestyle. This is the perfect format for students looking to pursue opportunities in a competitive job market.
