Investment banking boot camps have become an increasingly popular way for college students and career changers to gain the necessary financial modeling, valuation, accounting, and other technical skills to break into investment banking. These intensive multi-week programs aim to mimic the actual work environment and on-the-job training process at investment banks. By participating in case studies, projects, mock interviews and networking events, boot camp participants can demonstrate genuine interest and basic competence to investment banks when recruiting for internships and full-time roles. The curriculum at most investment banking boot camps focuses on learning Excel, financial statement analysis, comparable companies analysis, discounted cash flow modeling, LBO modeling, M&A analysis and leveraged finance. Gaining proficiency in these core technical skills can level the playing field for non-target school students when applying to banks. The network established at boot camps also helps participants land interviews and eventually gain offers.
Excel and financial modeling form the core curriculum of most investment banking boot camps
Based on the program curriculums and alum reviews on sites like Wall Street Oasis and Mergers & Inquisitions, the vast majority of time at investment banking boot camps goes towards Excel crash courses, financial statement modeling, DCF analysis, LBO modeling, M&A analysis and leveraged finance modeling. For students with little to no finance background, these boot camps offer a quick yet thorough way to develop the technical skills needed to perform relevant banking tasks and deal analysis, albeit in a simplified academic manner. By going through the modeling sequence from less to more complex and participating in group case studies, participants can demonstrate passion, effort and basic competence in interviews with banks.
Investment banking boot camps help participants establish a network and prep for recruiting
In addition to the technical curriculum, a main benefit of investment banking boot camps is the network they provide. Through alumni referrals, employer info sessions and mock interview workshops, participants get exposure to investment banks they wish to target for recruiting. This allows non-target students to have a fair shot at getting their resumes seen and landing first round interviews. Additionally, the interview prep teaches participants how to craft stories and answer behavioral questions in a structured manner that impresses banks. Some boot camps even have dedicated career support teams that provide resume templates, networking tips and continous prep after the program ends. Overall, the network and recruiting assistance established at boot camps help participants navigate the very competitive application process at investment banks.
Boot camps serve as an equalizer for non-target students recruiting for investment banking
For students at non-target schools without access to on-campus investment banking resources and recruiter presence, these technical skills boot camps serve as a catalyst to gain the skills and network necessary to break into the industry. By participating in an intensive boot camp, non-target students can partially compensate for the lack of training, peer interest and recruiter presence available to target school students. Whether conducted in-person or virtually, boot camps allow non-target students to demonstrate interest, develop technical competence, learn how to tell their stories, network with banks through alumni/employer connections and ultimately strengthen their candidacy for highly coveted investment banking internships and full-time roles.
Investment banking boot camps level the playing field for non-target students by developing technical skills through financial modeling courses and providing networking opportunities with banks. By participating in these intensive multi-week training programs and demonstrating passion for finance, students can gain a strong foundation to break into investment banking.