How To Learn Investment Banking and Study The Best Way Possible?

How to learn investment banking
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When it comes to careers in finance and banking, investment banking is a highly rewarding profession. It is quite in-demand and offers a high growth trajectory. Be it monetary benefits, recognition or job satisfaction, a career in investment banking offers all this and much more.

 

And if finance and accounting have always been your strengths, investment banking may be the right choice for you.

 

But, what if you’re planning a career in investment banking but have no clue how to learn investment banking? Let us help you out.

 
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The high rewards of the investment banking industry come with a lot of hard work. Right from preparing to become an investment banker to working your way to moving up in the hierarchy, you need to be highly skilled and determined.

 

Is It The Field For You – Check First!

Before we cover how to learn investment banking, let’s discuss whether this is the right field for you. See, liking something as an outsider is one thing but working in a field full-time is another.

 

So, becoming a successful investment banker requires a lot of dedication. So, ask yourself whether you are willing to give your best to the job.

 

Here is your checklist to make sure investment banking is the career path you wish to move forward in:

  1. You are extremely good with numbers
  2. Make sure you are ready to work long hours
  3. You know how to keep calm and perform under stress.
  4. You are a team player
  5. Do you take every good and bad experience as learning?
  6. You have good at finance and accounting and have great financial modeling skills
  7. Attention to detail is your strong suit
  8. You are good with software like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
  9. You can follow directions and follow instructions well
  10. You know how to build and sustain business relationships.

 

If your answers are affirmative, it is time now to talk business.

 

What Should You Do to Get Into Investment Banking?

Here are a few ways to know how to learn investment banking if you aspire to have a promising career in this field.

 

1. Earn A Bachelor’s Degree In Finance

Getting a bachelor’s degree is perhaps the first solid step toward pursuing any career. The same goes for becoming an investment banker. To do well in this career, a three or four-year bachelor’s degree is quite important.

 

A bachelor’s degree in finance is the first right step in your journey. Or you may opt for a degree in commerce, economics or business administration. The program you choose should focus on subjects like financial management, corporate finance, mathematics, accounting, data analytics, business administration, taxation etc.

 

2. Opt For A Master’s Degree In Banking

Earning a master’s degree can help you become a successful and sought-after investment banker. Improve your prospects of landing a rewarding positing in a reputed firm by getting a master’s degree in banking.

 

A postgraduate degree in finance can also be the right choice for building a career in this line of work.

 

3. Get Certified

Another recommended way to learn investment banking is by clearing an exam to bag a certification. While a certification is not necessary for landing a job in investment banking, it can certainly help enhance your career prospects. Consider opting for a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) professional certification for hands-on training in finance and investment.

 

You can go for CFA certification right after your graduation or wait till you complete your postgraduation. There are several other certificate programs other than CFA that can help you acquire the necessary skills.

 

4. Internships

While degrees and certifications can help you study investment banking, there is nothing like the intensive training you receive while interning at the right place.

 

Once you have completed your studies, the next move is to nail down an investment banking internship. An internship is your chance to experience what working in your dream job would feel like. It will give you much-needed exposure to the culture in the profession and help you gain valuable work experience.

 

It is also a great way to impress your future potential employers. Online job portals are an excellent source of finding the right internship. You can also check out the websites of top investment banking institutions for this purpose or keep an eye on their LinkedIn pages.

 

Other ways of finding internships are networking and hiring HR consultancies. A successful internship can also result in you getting a job offer from the firm.

 

5. On-the-job training

On-the-job training is the best way to master all the tricks of the trade, especially if you have a good degree or certificate in investment banking and need just some practical experience. Here you will get to learn from the experts who hold significant experience in this field.

 

6. Books

Another solution for knowing how to learn investment banking is through books. Whether you are an absolute beginner or you already know the fundamentals, reading books on investment banking can help you get a better understanding of what is it all about.

 

7. Online Courses

Investing in an online course can also be a great way to master investment banking. This is the best way to learn investment banking if you are already aware of the basics and just need to brush your skills.

 

Online certificate courses can be beneficial for those with a master’s in a related field who are good at investments. However, it is to be noted that several investment banking jobs out there ask for a full-time degree from a reputed institution.

 

In that case, to study investment banking through an online certificate course may not be enough.

 

8. Free tutorials and blogs

Wondering how to learn about finance and investment banking without spending a penny? Then this solution is perfect for you. If you are eager to learn investment banking but aren’t ready to invest in your learning yet, free online tutorials and blogs can help.

 

This is a great idea if you are planning to switch careers but aren’t too sure. A lot of investment banking experts out there have blogs and YouTube channels where they discuss the skills and knowledge required to become an investment banker.

 

9. Investment banking case studies

Looking through a few investment banking case studies is also a helpful route in knowing how to learn investment banking. It can also help you hone your skills and learn more about how actual real world problems were solved.

 

It will help you learn more about the common problems you may face while working as an investment banker and how to solve them.

 

10. Financial publications

You can also use financial publications to study investment banking. To be great at your job, you must keep learning to stay updated about all the latest trends in that field. Subscribe to reputed financial newspapers or magazines to keep you aware of what’s going on in the world of investment banking.

 

Skills You Need as an Investment Banker

To have a flourishing career as an investment banker, it is necessary to have the following skills:\

  • Analytical thinking
  • Innovative thinking
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of finance
  • Knowledge of banking
  • Resilience
  • Dedication
  • Project management
  • Time management
  • A global outlook
  • Presentation skills
  • Networking
  • Ability to negotiate

 

FAQs

Q. How long does it take to study investment banking?

A. That depends on what courses you are planning to sign up for. But typically, it can take up to 7 years or more. A bachelor’s degree can take 3 to 4 years, followed by a 2-year master’s program. In case you are planning to go for a doctorate, you’ll have to invest a few years more.

 

A CFA certification, which you can go for after graduation, can take up to 3 years. If you take up the shortcut through brief online courses and skip the master’s degree, you will still have to invest a few months after your bachelor’s.

 

 

Q. What does an investment banker do?

A. An investment banker uses skills like financial services industry expertise, efficient communication skills, and analytical prowess to offer support to institutional clients in acquisitions, capital raisings, mergers and other such investment activities.

 

These financial experts offer their services to established organizations, start-ups and even the government. This broad term can be used for professionals working in any of the following roles – entry-level investment banker, analyst, associate, vice president, director, or managing director.

 

 

Q. Does CFA help with investment banking?

A. Yes! This is one of the best ways to learn investment banking. CFA professional certification offers valuable practical investment and finance training. Through the CFA course, you can learn more about corporate finance, economics, equity investments, derivatives, Financial reporting and analysis, quantitative methods, alternative investments, etc. Completing a CFA course can take up to 3 years.

 
To Sum Up…

There are a lot of ways out there to study investment banking. Degrees and certifications are a great investment to build your career and get yourself noticed by recruiters. Whereas, resources like online courses, finance publications, tutorials, and blogs can help you brush up on your skills and expand your knowledge base.

 

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