Think you know investment banking? Think again

Investment banking is often spoken about as though it were a single, clearly defined career path. In reality, it is a broad ecosystem of roles that demand very different skills, personalities, and academic journeys. Understanding this distinction is often the first step for anyone considering a future in the field.

According to Nakul Ramkumar, an alumnus of Apeejay School, Kharghar, who has worked in the world’s top hedge funds, it depends on the role. “There are various roles at investment banks like Trading, Market Making, Wealth Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, Technology, and traditional Investment banking, to name a few,” he explained.

Each of these functions operates differently, from high-pressure trading floors to long-term client advisory work, and from technology-driven systems to quantitative research. What often surprises aspirants is how much weight banks place on human qualities.

“In many client-facing roles, most of the finance, client-facing roles look for excellent soft skills and interesting personalities; I have seen people get hired simply for their sports background. Academic credentials still matter, but the gatekeeping is not as rigid as many assume. Academically, they are not very picky with degrees. A finance-related qualification or a certification like the CFA can strengthen a profile, while globally, reliance on an MBA has steadily declined. Technology and quantitative roles, however, continue to demand strong STEM or engineering backgrounds combined with a clear interest in financial markets,” he said.

Life inside an investment bank, especially early on, is demanding. Long hours and intense workloads are common, and resilience becomes essential. Young professionals typically should expect high workloads, and hopefully, the pay reflects that.  “Career progression tends to be fast for strong performers in the initial years before slowing down. At that stage, many top performers transition to buy-side roles like hedge funds, private equity, or sovereign funds, drawn by higher pay and greater risk,” he stated.

Ultimately, investment banking is less about fitting a stereotype and more about understanding where one’s strengths align within a complex, demanding industry.