Education · 1 of 5

The path

Banks hire almost all analysts out of their own summer internships, and they recruit very early.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 9 to 12

   Strong grades, the hardest math you can manage, and a school where you can get into a business, economics or finance program.

2. 2

   University, first two years

   Years 1 and 2

   Join the finance club, learn accounting and spreadsheet modeling, and start networking with alumni at banks.

3. 3

   Recruit for the junior summer internship

   Year 2

   Applications open about 1.5 to 2 years before the internship starts, often in your second year.

4. 4

   Summer internship

   Summer before your last year

   About 10 weeks in a bank's office. Most full-time analyst offers come from this summer.

5. 5

   Analyst, then associate

   2 to 3 years

   Two to three years as an analyst. Many then leave. Those who stay are promoted to associate.