First of all: you're not alone.
Every year, hundreds of MBA students successfully switch careers into investment banking, often with no prior exposure to corporate finance or Wall Street. The catch? It takes planning, speed, and a little grit.
Here’s the straight-talking guide on how to get started in investment banking after MBA — if you're switching from another industry.
Step 1: Know Why You're Switching — and Be Able to Explain It
Bankers will ask: “Why investment banking?”
If you’re switching from another field, your answer needs to be more than just “I want a challenge” or “I like working with numbers.”
Here’s what works:
- You want to apply strategic thinking in high-stakes, real-world transactions.
- You’re energized by fast-paced environments and steep learning curves.
- You’re excited by financial markets, corporate strategy, and deal-making.
The clearer and more personal your story, the more convincing you’ll be in interviews.
Step 2: Leverage Your Past — Don’t Apologize for It
One of the biggest mistakes career switchers make is trying to hide their past experience. That’s a mistake.
Investment banks love candidates who bring differentiated perspectives. If you’ve worked in:
- Tech: You understand innovation cycles and startups.
- Healthcare: You know the ins and outs of a complex, regulated industry.
- The military: You bring leadership, resilience, and discipline.
Translate your old skills into the language of finance. For example:
- “I led a $2M product launch” becomes “I managed a capital deployment initiative.”
- “I advised a Fortune 500 client on strategy” becomes “I supported high-impact decisions with data-backed insights.”
Your past is a strength — own it.
Step 3: Get Up to Speed on Finance — Fast
As a switcher, you’re competing with classmates who worked in private equity or corporate finance before their MBA. You can catch up, but you have to start early.
You’ll need to learn:
- Accounting basics (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow)
- Financial modeling in Excel
- DCF valuation, comps, and precedent transaction analysis
- M&A deal structure and LBO fundamentals
Resources to use:
- Wall Street Prep or Breaking Into Wall Street
- Investment Banking by Rosenbaum & Pearl (your IB Bible)
- Peer study groups and school-led finance bootcamps
By the time interviews roll around, you need to speak the language of Wall Street fluently — even if you only started a few months earlier.
Step 4: Get Active in Campus Finance Communities
Most top MBA programs have:
- Investment banking clubs
- Finance and private equity societies
- Student-run investment funds
These clubs often provide:
- Resume reviews by second-years who’ve landed IB roles
- Technical prep groups
- Access to recruiter events and alumni contacts
As a career switcher, these communities are critical for leveling the playing field. Don’t just sign up — show up, volunteer, and engage.
Step 5: Network Aggressively and Authentically
You may not have an existing finance network, but during your MBA, you’ll build one. And it starts with intentional networking.
Who to connect with:
- Second-year students who interned in investment banking
- Alumni at target banks, especially those with similar backgrounds
- Recruiters and bankers who visit campus
What to ask:
- “What made you choose your firm?”
- “How did you prepare coming from a non-finance background?”
- “What technical skills did you find most valuable on the job?”
Build a spreadsheet, track your outreach, and always follow up with a thank-you note. Make yourself memorable — in a good way.
Step 6: Tailor Your Resume and Story for Investment Banking
Your resume should scream “banking-ready” — even if you haven’t worked in finance before.
Do this by:
- Highlighting leadership, analytical skills, and business impact
- Quantifying achievements (e.g., “Increased efficiency by 15%,” “Led a team of 10”)
- Adding finance-relevant courses and certifications
Also, prepare a tight, 60-second pitch that explains your transition:
“I spent five years in engineering, where I led high-stakes projects and developed a love for data-driven decision-making. I came to business school to pivot into investment banking, where I can combine analytical rigor with client-facing work and strategic execution.”
Practice it. Refine it. Own it.
Step 7: Crush the Internship Interview Process
Getting the summer internship is the game. Nail this, and you’re likely on the path to a full-time offer.
Here's what to expect:
- Behavioral interviews that probe your story, teamwork, and work ethic
- Technical interviews that test your financial knowledge, modeling skills, and valuation frameworks
As a switcher, you're often held to a higher bar technically — so prep thoroughly, ideally in a small group with peers.
Use mock interviews, case studies, and real banker feedback whenever possible.
Step 8: Prove You Belong During the Internship
Once you land the internship, your mission is clear: earn that return offer.
To do that:
- Be hyper-reliable and detail-obsessed
- Ask thoughtful questions and take feedback seriously
- Make bankers' lives easier — without waiting to be asked
- Work late, stay organized, and act like a full-time associate from Day 1
Remember, no one cares where you started once you’re performing. You’ll be judged on output, attitude, and ownership — not your pre-MBA resume.
Final Thoughts
So, how to get started in investment banking after MBA if you're switching from another field?
Build your finance muscle fast
Leverage your past as an asset
Craft a story that connects the dots
Network like a pro
Overprepare, outperform, and overdeliver
Career switchers break into investment banking every year — and thrive. With focus, preparation, and hustle, you can too.
Thinking about switching into IB and want to chat with someone who’s done it? Drop your questions in the comments — or DM us to connect with former career switchers who now work on Wall Street.