Knowledge is power in today's business world and where power goes, manipulation can't be far behind. Not a day goes by without talk of a new merger, acquisition or initial public offering (IPO) career in the securities industry can offer exciting work if you enjoy working in a competitive and demanding atmosphere. Investment bankers, stock brokers, and stock traders all make up the securities industry providing services to each other, as well as the general public. The primary differences between the three are the services they provide and who they provide these services to. Investment banking seems to be the most interesting of the three, as well as the most rewarding. This is due to the nature of the job an investment banker must perform. A career as an investment banker has its pros and cons just as any career does, but if you're looking for a high-demanding, high-risk career that at times is very rewarding financially, investment banking could be the career.

Investment banking has been around since stocks have been issued and bonds sold, but the field demands little, if any new jobs before the 1980's. This was due to the low complexity of the financial markets. Since then, investment banking jobs have been significantly growing due to the availability of complex securities and high-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds. Now that the financial market has become more complex, companies that didn't require investment bankers need their advice to effectively help their company sell stocks and bonds, and to make financial plans for the future.

To be considered for a job in the securities industry one must be content with living in or near a large city, and have at least a four-year degree in some type of business field, typically finance or accounting. The typical analyst works mainly on analytical work and also does a fair amount of writing. From here an analyst has the option to either go back to school and pursue an MBA, or try to advance to the position of a junior associate, which basically has the job of supervising the...

Junior associates are basically trying to learn the business and acquire the skills they need to develop financial plans rather than to execute them. Their main responsibilities include running computer analyses, preparing the financial reports which accompany stock issues, and putting together the documents used by senior bankers to pitch ideas. Junior associates are primarily watched over by the senior associates.
Senior associates, or vice presidents, depending on the investment firm's structure, oversee the preparation of documents that leave the firm, and they begin to be involved in the more creative side of business, working with senior bankers and clients to develop financial strategies. Senior associates are basically more specialized in a specific type of transaction, and have established banking skills that will help them in the future. Normally, the only step up from a vice president is a senior banker who has ownership interests in the firm he or she works at. To become a senior banker it usually takes about ten years of experience and a lot of hard work.

When deciding whether a career in this particular field is right for someone looking into investment banking, one must first consider the advantages and the disadvantages of the career and then decide whether the job will suit his or her individual needs.