Investment Banking Analyst
Are you just out of high school and hoping that a degree in business is the right path for you? Do you have experience already in the financial field? Becoming an Investment Banking Analyst could be the answer. A bachelor’s degree that masters the areas of finance and accounting will be a good springboard to join this exciting career path. A career as an Investment Banking Analyst means being involved in the business of raising equity and debt capital for companies around the world.
Investment Banking Analyst
Investment Banking also involves providing advice pertaining to acquiring and merging companies, managing the issuance of bonds and the sale of company stock to the public. You will need a Bachelor’s degree at the bare minimum to get in to internship programs that will give you some experience to then apply for the analyst positions. Therefore, in your pursuit of an Investment Banking Analyst career you will need to excel in your college education and especially in the areas of math, knowledge of different types of equity transactions, technical skills involving spreadsheets and presentation, ability to work long hours, and interpersonal skills. The coursework normally required involves international finance, financial statement analysis, bank management, real estate investments, financial engineering, risk management, statistics, value investing and personal finance. The education and path for this career can be stressful and competitive, but if you are willing you can succeed! The annual salaries can start around $45K-$90K for an analyst depending on location and as you evolve and succeed through the natural career path you can be making well over $300K.
Once You Have The Degree
This career path will offer you not only the opportunity to learn the banking and finance business on the front lines, but as an Investment Banking Analyst you could ultimately be working in the financial districts of New York, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong or even Moscow. These jobs can be lucrative if you put in the long hours that will be necessary, and it could pay off in a huge way! Even though the economy has taken a hit, positions for Investment Banking Analysts are always available. Once you are in the door, the newly hired Investment Banking Analyst will typically go through a two year analyst training program where you put in your dues, which can include anything from making the coffee to financial spreadsheet analysis, generating weekly newsletters, and document preparation. All the while you are learning, working on relationships and gaining valuable experience. After that, the an analyst will typically get their MBA or certifications, such as a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or pursue other financial industry opportunities. The master’s program may contain subjects including business analysis, marketing management and organizational management. The experience the analyst garnered during their two year program will set them up well to continue their career path in a prestigious investment bank upon completion of their degree. Initiative and hard work can get you to the next level of becoming an Associate Investment Banker. A career in investment banking will require a lot of work and it all begins with a degree and a commitment to succeed!
