The Real Deal: Does Prestige Really Matter in Finance?

As we navigate the competitive world of finance, the weight of 'prestige' often looms large. From Ivy League degrees to stints at top firms like Goldman or J.P. Morgan, it seems like certain credentials are tickets to the top. But how much does this perceived prestige actually influence your career trajectory? Have you seen non-target school grads outperform Ivy leaguers? Or perhaps you've witnessed how networking trumps alma mater every time?

I'm curious to hear from those who have climbed the ranks or are just starting out. Share your experiences, opinions, and any advice you have on leveraging—or overcoming—the prestige factor in finance. What's more valuable in the long run: the name on your diploma or the skills and relationships you build?

 

Prestige matters in early career more than late. Ultimately, if you're smart and hard working you'll end up successful. You might not end up an MF partner, but could potentially start your own LMM/MM firm and potentially make multiples of that MF partner. Bank prestige matters for PE recruiting which matters for MBA recruiting. Headhunters basically tier firms with BB/EB's being viewed separately sadly, so it is important for the original PE recruiting but in the long run you can end up pulling much further ahead as someone who went to a random boutique MM vs someone who went to EVR/GS/JPM/MS etc.

 
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