*ULTIMATE* Guide To Become Investment Banker in 2025 & 26 | Shirish Gupta

Summary

Shirish Gupta shares a step-by-step roadmap for breaking into investment banking in the US, even from non-target schools or with no prior connections. Drawing from his own journey from an engineering background in India to UBS, he debunks myths about elite degrees and networks, emphasizing skills, consistency, and smart positioning. The video covers essential hard skills like Excel, PowerPoint, and finance concepts, along with soft skills such as structured communication and confidence. Viewers are guided through education pathways, resume building, networking strategies, interview prep, and actionable steps for non-target candidates, concluding with a practical beginner’s checklist to launch a successful IB career.

Takeaways

• 😀 You don't need an Ivy League or target school to break into investment banking; skills and strategy matter more than brand.
• 😀 A finance degree is not mandatory; engineering or other degrees can work if you put in structured effort to learn finance.
• 😀 Networking can be built from scratch through cold emails, LinkedIn, and consistent follow-ups.
• 😀 Core technical skills include Excel (formulas, pivot tables, financial modeling), PowerPoint (storytelling through clean slides), and finance concepts (DCF, LBO, M&A basics).
• 😀 Soft skills like structured communication, simplifying complex ideas, and building confidence are essential for success.
• 😀 There are multiple pathways from India to US investment banking: Indian undergrad + US masters, direct US undergrad, or Indian MBA with global internships.
• 😀 Your resume should be action-oriented, measurable, concise (one page), and project-based rather than just listing roles.
• 😀 Interview prep includes three types: technical (financial modeling, statements), behavioral (storytelling, failures), and case studies (company valuation, M&A decisions).
• 😀 Consistency and small daily steps compound into major results; practical experience through projects, blogs, or freelancing is highly valuable.
• 😀 Investment banking is demanding (80–100 hour weeks, late nights) but offers deep financial knowledge, exposure to deals, and a strong professional brand.
• 😀 Beginners should follow a checklist: learn Excel & finance basics, complete one free project, write a clean resume, send 5 networking messages weekly, and practice 2 mock interviews per week.
• 😀 Your background is a starting point, not a limit; commitment, consistency, and being undeniable matter more than legacy or college brand.

Q & A

Do you need an Ivy League or target college degree to get into investment banking?

No, you do not need an Ivy League or target college degree. Many successful candidates come from regular or non-target colleges, as long as they demonstrate relevant skills, consistency, and value.

Is a finance degree necessary to enter investment banking?

No, a finance degree is not required. Engineering or other backgrounds can succeed in investment banking, provided you learn the necessary finance concepts and technical skills.

How important is networking for entering investment banking?

Networking is very important, but you can build it from scratch through cold emails, follow-ups, and active LinkedIn engagement, even without existing connections.

What are the core technical skills needed for investment banking?

Core technical skills include Excel (formulas, pivot tables, financial models), PowerPoint (structured and clear presentations), and finance concepts like DCF, LBO, comparables, and M&A basics.

What soft skills are essential for success in investment banking?

Essential soft skills include structured speaking, simplifying complex ideas, presenting insights clearly, and building confidence through regular practice and presentations.

What are the common education pathways to investment banking from India?

There are three main pathways: 1) Indian undergrad + US master's in finance, 2) direct US undergraduate degree, 3) Indian MBA followed by global roles. An MS in finance is faster and cheaper than an MBA and offers direct analyst entry.

How can non-target school students improve their chances of entering investment banking?

Non-target school students can improve their chances by completing real projects, starting a blog or LinkedIn series, passing CFA Level 1, practicing mock interviews, and consistently networking.

What types of questions should candidates prepare for during investment banking interviews?

Candidates should prepare for technical questions (DCF, financial statements), behavioral questions (tell me about yourself, failures), and case studies (company valuations or acquisition scenarios).

What is the realistic work environment in investment banking?

Investment banking involves intense work hours, often 80–100 per week, including weekends. Tasks are mostly Excel and PowerPoint heavy, supporting multi-million or billion-dollar decisions, with occasional late-night deliverables.

What is a practical beginner’s checklist for starting in investment banking?

A beginner's checklist includes: 1) Learn Excel and finance basics, 2) Complete one free project, 3) Write a concise one-page resume, 4) Send five networking messages per week, 5) Practice two mock interviews per week.

What is the role of persistence and consistency in breaking into investment banking?

Persistence and consistency are crucial. Small, daily efforts in building skills, networking, and preparing for interviews compound over time and can outweigh brand advantages or prior connections.

What resources are recommended for self-learning investment banking skills?

Recommended resources include Investopedia for basics, Wall Street Prep and Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) for courses, Coursera for structured learning, and YouTube channels like MNI, BIWS, and Merger and Acquisition Wall Street.