Investment Banker Planning for one's career is often a difficult and challenging situation to experience. Understanding what's important to you and what skills and personal desires you wish to demonstrate to others to contribute society encapsulate what's important in the process of distinguishing between different career options. The purpose of this writing is to analyze my decision of a future career in investment banking. I will first give background about the career choice and then apply my own personal understanding of how these choices align with my talents. This process of evaluating and applying different standards and options will be beneficial to any person who desires to investigate a career within the investment banking industry or other financial sectors.

Background information about investment banking is important and necessary in order to gather the proper knowledge to make a wise and applicable decision towards a career choice. Investment banking deals with companies and other organizations such as governments, and issue securities and also help investors by and manage their profits assets, securities while providing financial advice. Investment banks are usually large in scope and some of the largest institutions include Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. In recent times, the investment banking job market has been very weak and deserted. The financial situation of the global community has provided a scenario where investment jobs are very difficult to attain due to the scarcity of resources and qualified individuals. This is perhaps due to a bursting bubble of overleveraged mortgage securities coupled with large unemployment problems and other financial disasters within the economic market seen in the last three or four years.

SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS

I believe now is a good opportunity to enter this career field due to the fact that many of the failures and discredited personnel have been removed from the industry due to their unsatisfactory marks and their lack of ability to maintain an ethical and honest environment within the banking sector. Many helpful reforms have been applied to investment banking and the other financial...

This cleansing of the system appears to have grown my interest more even though it remains hard to find a job within this sector.
It takes a variety of skills to become a good investment banker and practicing the skills are essential in developing a solid business rapport and reputation. I've created a chart to help demonstrate and organize certain skill and talent requirements necessary for me to enter within this career field.

Key Skill

Requirement

Interpersonal Skills

Very High

Sales Skills

Medium

Communication Skills

Very High

Analytical Skills

High

Creativity

Very High

Leadership Skills

Very High

It is also important to remember that within these different skill sets are many sub-skill sets that are necessary to master before becoming successful within this field. Communication skills include the ability to read and write effectively and have a fine understanding of electronic and digital communications as well. Leadership skills are also very high in demand within this sector. If leadership fails as it did recently seen in the global financial meltdown over the past few years, disaster is imminent within the financial sectors and unfortunate examples of ignorance and malfeasance usually will result as this is discovered by those aspiring to contribute to the field.

FIRST STEPS TO AN INVESTMENT BANKING CAREER

Step 1. Graduate from college.

Step 2. Enter field as financial analyst.

Step 3. Learn and prosper.

Step 4. Apply for MBA.

Step 5. Attain MBA.

Sept 6. Attain associate position.

Step one is obvious, however entering the field to financial analysts in step two, may not be as clear-cut. Entry-level positions in this field are rare, but determination and a disciplined approach will have to carry me through to step three. Some things to help me learn and prosper will be to maximize my knowledge and try to interview and understand many…