# *ULTIMATE* Guide To Become Investment Banker in 2026 | Shirish Gupta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDZOGfDanyY

[00:00] You don't need an Ivy League degree to get into investment banking.
[00:02] I didn't have one.
[00:03] No Wharton, no Stanford, no target school brand.
[00:06] And yet, I broke into UBS, one of the top investment banks on Wall Street.
[00:11] Hi, my name is Shirish Gupta and today I'm going to give you a step-by-step roadmap on how you can do the same, even if you are from a non-target college in India, even if you don't have the right connections, even if you are the first in your family to dream this big.
[00:26] This video isn't just about my story.
[00:28] It's about your strategy.
[00:30] Let's get into it.
[00:32] Let's talk about my background, just enough to prove it true.
[00:34] Well, I was born and raised in Delhi.
[00:35] I studied computer science engineering, not finance, not business, just coding and math.
[00:38] I didn't study in the US until my masters.
[00:41] When I moved there, I had zero connections, no internships, no Wall Street resume.
[00:45] I worked part-time at minimum wage, lived off that $1 pizza slices, and cold emailed 50 people every week.
[00:52] Eventually, I landed a role at UBS and since then I've helped thousands of students, many from tier two or three.
[01:00] Colleges get into top global companies like Google, Apple, and also investment banks like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley.
[01:06] If I can do it from scratch, so can you.
[01:08] Now, let me talk about myths initially and let's bust a few myths that confuse a lot of beginners.
[01:15] Myth number one, you must go to IIM, IIT, or Wharton.
[01:17] Truth, 75% of people I've coached were from regular colleges.
[01:22] What matters more?
[01:24] Your output, not your brand.
[01:27] Myth number two, you need a finance degree.
[01:29] Well, truth, I studied engineering.
[01:31] Finance can be learned later.
[01:33] You just need structured effort to do it.
[01:36] Myth number three, you need a network.
[01:38] Well, truth, I had zero network.
[01:40] I built one from scratch through cold emails and follow-ups, and you can do that, too.
[01:43] So, what do you actually need?
[01:45] Well, relevant skills, Excel, PowerPoint, basic accounting, valuation, a little bit understanding of finance, smart positioning, and show your value clearly, very important.
[01:56] You need relentless consistency.
[01:59] Yes, small steps taken daily lead to compounding.
[02:02] Results, and that's what you need.
[02:04] And if you're feeling lost right now, that's okay.
[02:06] You are in the right place.
[02:08] Let me give you a step-by-step roadmap to investment banking in the US.
[02:12] Well, step number one, know what investment banking actually is.
[02:14] An investment bank helps big companies raise money, go public like an IPO, or buy or sell other companies, which is merger and acquisition.
[02:20] You're like a finance advisors for CEOs.
[02:22] You prepare reports, models, and presentations that support multi-million dollar and even billion-dollar decisions.
[02:29] This role is intense.
[02:29] It's more Excel than glamour, more PowerPoint than parties.
[02:34] Well, if you're confused between roles, here's a quick breakdown for you.
[02:35] First is investment banking, which is where the big deal making happens.
[02:38] Then private equity, which is buying businesses.
[02:40] Then also comes equity research, which is writing reports on stocks and presenting it.
[02:46] And then comes corporate finance, which is managing the internal finance of a company.
[02:50] You need to understand these differences before you commit.
[02:54] Let's go to step number which is education pathway.
[02:55] Now, there are three common ways to enter investment banking from India.
[02:59] Path A, or the first path is Indian undergrad followed by a US.
[03:04] Master's in finance.
[03:06] Example, you do a BCom from Delhi University or any other government university and top it up with MS in finance from, let's say, UT Austin or UC San Diego.
[03:13] Path B is direct US undergrad.
[03:15] Now, this gives you more time to build your profile.
[03:18] But it's expensive, but if you can afford it, absolutely the best choice.
[03:21] Number three is Indian MBA followed by the global roles.
[03:25] Now, I help students from IIM, ISB, and even lesser-known MBAs get into finance with smart branding and global internships.
[03:31] And here's a pro tip for you.
[03:33] MS in finance is cheaper and faster than an MBA, and gives you direct entry into analyst roles.
[03:38] Combine it with CFA, and your profile will stand out for sure.
[03:42] Step number three, start building these core skills today.
[03:45] Now, you don't need a finance degree or an MBA to start preparing for investment banking.
[03:49] You need the right skills and consistency.
[03:51] Here's what to start with right now.
[03:54] First, I'm going to talk about hard skills, technical.
[03:56] The most important is definitely Excel, your daily battleground.
[04:00] Master formulas, VLOOKUP, index match, pivot tables, shortcuts.
[04:05] Build basic financial models from scratch.
[04:07] Next, you need to know PowerPoint because you need to tell stories visually.
[04:10] Structure clean, logical slides.
[04:12] Problem, solution, and numbers, very important.
[04:15] Learn to present insights, not clutter.
[04:16] Recreate real IB to practice.
[04:21] Next skill is finance concepts.
[04:23] Now, speak the language.
[04:25] Understand DCF, for example, discounted cash flow, LBO, leveraged buyout, comparables, and merger and acquisition basics.
[04:33] Pick up one real-world deal and analyze it like a banker.
[04:35] Apply theory using platforms like Investopedia or CFI, which is Corporate Finance Institute.
[04:41] Now, let's comes to soft skills, communications.
[04:43] First is structured speaking.
[04:45] Use a three-point answers or STAR method.
[04:47] Fillers like um or like.
[04:50] Practice with mock interviews or recordings, very important.
[04:53] Next skill is simplify complex ideas, super important.
[04:55] Explain financial terms in simple everyday language.
[04:59] Aim for clarity, not jargon here.
[05:02] Next skill is to build confidence through reps.
[05:04] Present often in class, to
[05:06] Peers, or even online.
[05:09] Confidence isn't talent, it's training.
[05:10] Remember this.
[05:11] Now, resources to learn for free, here are some for you.
[05:13] Investopedia for basics, Wall Street Prep and CFI for courses.
[05:17] Coursera also for courses.
[05:20] YouTube channels like M&I, BIWS, merger and acquisition, Wall Street, these are some good channels.
[05:24] Bottom line, you don't need a fancy college to start building these skills.
[05:28] You need a notebook, internet, and consistency.
[05:29] That's all you need.
[05:32] Let's go to step number four.
[05:34] Build a resume that works.
[05:36] Now, your resume is a marketing document, not a biography.
[05:38] So, here's an example.
[05:40] Don't write "Interned at a local firm."
[05:42] But, write "Built Excel model for cost analysis, helped save 2 lakhs per year for local businesses."
[05:49] Doing this can make a huge difference in your resume.
[05:51] Here are some tips for you on resume.
[05:52] One page only.
[05:55] Write action words, created, analyzed, build, improved.
[05:57] Add numbers, 10%, 5 lakhs, 200 hours, anything that is measurable.
[06:02] Don't wait for fancy internships.
[06:04] Build your own project.
[06:06] Help a local startup maybe.
[06:06] Freelance.
[06:06] Document your work.
[06:09] Very important.
[06:09] Step number five, smart networking.
[06:11] Now, this is the most effective tool for people with no college background.
[06:14] Use LinkedIn.
[06:16] Search for simply investment banking analyst followed by the company name you want to work for.
[06:20] Here is a message template for you.
[06:21] Hi, my name is {dash}.
[06:22] I am student exploring investment banking.
[06:24] I admire your journey and would love to learn how you started.
[06:28] Can we connect for 15 minutes?
[06:29] Be respectful.
[06:30] Don't pitch.
[06:31] Just ask for advice.
[06:32] Then follow up in 10 to 15 days.
[06:35] Doing this can really transform your career.
[06:37] Pro tip, engage with these posts.
[06:39] Like, comment, build a warm presence.
[06:42] Step number six is interview prep.
[06:44] You'll face three kinds of questions, technical.
[06:46] Walk me through a DCF.
[06:48] What are the three financial statements?
[06:50] Then behavioral.
[06:51] Tell me about yourself.
[06:51] Why IB?
[06:52] Biggest failure?
[06:54] Then case studies.
[06:55] How would you value Zomato?
[06:56] Or should Apple acquire Spotify?
[06:59] These are the three types of questions.
[07:00] So, how do you prepare?
[07:01] Study one topic per day.
[07:02] Record yourself answering.
[07:04] Notice tone, structure.
[07:06] Practice with friends or mentors.
[07:07] Use MNI 400.
[07:10] Questions as a practice base.
[07:12] You can Google it.
[07:14] Step number seven, breaking in from a non-target school.
[07:16] If you are from a lesser-known college, here's what works for you all the time.
[07:21] Build two, three real projects, even unpaid, that is okay.
[07:23] Start a blog or LinkedIn series sharing what you are learning.
[07:26] This is so important.
[07:28] Pass CFA level one during college.
[07:30] It shows commitment and understanding of finance.
[07:32] Practice mock interviews regularly.
[07:35] And here's a real story.
[07:37] A girl from Indore with no brand name did three free projects for local startups, posted weekly on LinkedIn, and cold emailed 12 people.
[07:44] She got two interviews and now works at Barclays.
[07:48] You don't need a degree from Harvard.
[07:50] You need to be undeniable.
[07:52] Okay, let me give you a little bit more insights about what Wall Street is actually like.
[07:56] Now, here's a reality check before you sign up for this.
[07:58] You may have to work 80 to 100 hours per week.
[07:59] Yes, maybe you'll have to work on weekends as well.
[08:02] I used to do that.
[08:04] Your manager might ask for a presentation changes at 1:00 a.m.
[08:06] Happened with me.
[08:08] This is all part of this, but I loved it.
[08:10] But also, you
[08:12] Will learn finance inside out.
[08:14] You'll understand how deals are made.
[08:16] You build a brand that travels with you.
[08:18] I think my investment banking experience taught me a lot of things.
[08:21] Consistency, patience, hard work, making effort in so many things that I can really value in my life today.
[08:27] And if you keep doing these things that I'm telling you, in 6 months, you will grow faster than most professionals do in 3 years.
[08:34] And I have proven track records with so many of my students.
[08:36] Okay.
[08:36] Now, here's a beginner's checklist with top five points about investment banking for me.
[08:40] First, learn Excel and finance basics.
[08:42] Number two, do one free project.
[08:44] Number three, write a clean one-page resume.
[08:46] Number four is to send five networking messages per week.
[08:48] And last, number five is to practice two mock interviews per week.
[08:53] You don't need to be perfect.
[08:55] You just need to be better than yesterday.
[08:57] Your story is your power.
[08:59] Your background is your starting point, not your limit.
[09:01] Comment below, what's your dream bank?
[09:02] Goldman, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Evercore, or tell me what's holding you back.
[09:07] You don't need a legacy.
[09:09] You need a launch pad.
[09:12] Let this video be yours.