Investment Banking Coaches, Events, and Resources

I spent three years in investment banking at Moelis, and have gone through both the 2-year Analyst program and stayed on as an Associate afterwards. I worked across both the LA and New York offices and was top-ranked in all three years. During my time at the firm, I was also heavily involved in analyst and intern recruiting, so I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to break into a top bank and how to stand out once you’re there. Over the years, I’ve helped a number of candidates navigate the recruiting process, from building a compelling story to preparing for technicals, refining resumes, and developing networking strategies that actually work. Mentorship has always been important to me. I have supported candidates recruiting for different geographies and industry groups. At USC, I served as Director of Mentorship for the Trojan Investing Society (the school’s largest finance org), where I guided a cohort of 30+ students through recruiting landing roles at firms such as GS, Evercore, JP Morgan, etc. across NY, Boston, SF and LA. I also worked as a Peer Career Advisor at USC's Career Center, helping students successfully land offers in investing banking and private equity. Since graduating, I’ve continued to mentor through programs like SEO, Women in Network, and Synergist Network. If you’re preparing for banking interviews or looking for guidance on breaking in, I’d love to help. Let’s connect and get you set up for success.

As a former Investment Banking Analyst at Morgan Stanley, PE Associate at KarpReilly, and a current MBA candidate at Harvard Business School, I offer firsthand insight into what it takes to break into bulge bracket banking. At Morgan Stanley, I was directly involved in Dartmouth College’s recruiting process, giving me a unique perspective on exactly what top firms look for in candidates. My coaching experience spans both formal and informal settings — through Dartmouth Women in Business and throughout my professional career, I’ve guided numerous students through every stage of the investment banking recruiting process. My work is particularly focused on the areas that move the needle most: resume reviews, cover letters, and interview preparation. If you’re interested in landing a role in investment banking, I can help you build a candidacy that stands out.

Navigating the investment banking recruiting process is nuanced, involved and highly person. Over the last 8 years, I've leveraged my own experience as a Lazard summer and full-time analyst to help coach 200+ students through this process, including crafting their story, preparing for technical interviews and even figuring out the right home for them (city selection, size of investment bank and group placement). My approach is refined, warm and unique for each person. I take the time to understand your background, aspirations and goals. I'm excited to work with you!

Welcome to my profile! I'm Jake Winans, a former investment banking analyst and strategy consultant who broke into Wall Street from a non-target background and later transitioned into corporate strategy roles at The Walt Disney Company and ExxonMobil. With firsthand experience in both M&A and capital markets, I bring a practical, insider-level understanding of what it takes to succeed in the recruiting process and on the desk. I’ve coached over 200+ students and early-career professionals, helping them master technicals, craft elite-level behavioral answers, refine their resumes, and build networking strategies that actually lead to interviews. Many of my clients have gone on to secure roles at firms like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Evercore, Centerview, and top middle-market and boutique banks. I specialize in helping candidates—whether from target, semi-target, or non-target schools—stand out through strong narrative positioning, polished communication, and strategic preparation. My coaching is grounded in real transaction experience, resume screening/hiring exposure, and years of mentoring aspiring bankers through university programs and private consulting. If you're aiming for investment banking and want structured, actionable guidance from someone who's successfully navigated the path and helped hundreds do the same, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s elevate your recruiting strategy and get you where you want to go.

Based on my experience in private equity and investment banking at top-tier firms such as Warburg Pincus and J.P. Morgan, I'm highly qualified to coach individuals on investment banking recruiting. In addition to technical expertise, my experience in mentoring and coaching others has also equipped me with the skills to guide aspiring investment banking professionals through the recruiting process. My ability to communicate complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner, as well as my strong network within the industry, can be invaluable in helping individuals navigate the often-challenging landscape of investment banking recruiting. With my guidance and support, aspiring investment banking professionals can develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this highly competitive industry.

I won Rothschild & Co's Healthcare Advisory Challenge at Oxford, beating 50+ MSc and MBA candidates, then interned and converted to a full-time analyst. I executed M&A and PE transactions across Rothschild and Gilde Healthcare. €20bn+ in executed deal value across my career. Clients have landed offers at J.P. Morgan, Greenhill, and boutique banks. Most candidates don't fail on technicals. They fail on story. If your CV looks sharp but your narrative feels flat, that's what we build together. Coaching for the 2026-2027 recruiting cycle. Applications and interviews are happening now.

I successfully broke into investment banking from a non-finance background while at Wharton, landing first-round interviews across top bulge bracket and elite boutique firms—both in coverage and product groups. I ultimately accepted an offer from J.P. Morgan’s M&A team, my top choice, and received a return offer after a strong summer internship. Having gone through the process myself, I understand how overwhelming MBA recruiting can be—especially for career switchers. I can help you clarify your story, prepare for behavioral and technical interviews, and navigate firm preferences and group selection. Beyond the recruiting process, I also coach on how to succeed during the internship itself and evaluate whether banking is the right path based on your long-term goals. Whether you’re just exploring the idea or are deep in prep, I’m here to help you make confident, well-informed decisions.

After I graduated from Berkeley Haas, I spent two years as an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley before becoming a Private Equity Associate at The Carlyle Group. In my free time, I am a mentor for Women In Network, a non-profit organization founded to promote and encourage females in the professional world by fostering mentorships, expanding networks, and building communities. I have helped high school and college students with thinking through their future career by helping them with interview prep, talking through their interests / what they're looking for in a job, understanding the technical portions of a model / questions that would come up in an interview, and providing step-by-step guides to recruiting. I also taught 2 Berkeley Haas classes when I was a senior in college. I prepared materials for my classes, which were "Introduction to Investment Banking" and "Introduction to Buyside Financial Modelling".

I broke into Goldman Sachs investment banking without a finance degree. Here's how I did it. I started in biotech investor relations at one of the most active boutique IR firms in the country, advising on some of the busiest biotech IPOs during the record breaking 2020 boom year. From there I moved to Wells Fargo Securities investment banking in the REGAL group covering Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging. I worked on landmark deals including Aristocrat's $3.7B acquisition of Playtech and MGM's $3.9B sale of CityCenter, advising institutional clients like Blackstone, VICI Properties, Red Rock Resorts and Bally's. Then I lateraled to Goldman Sachs TMT and Consumer where I was exclusive buy-side advisor on Amazon's $3.9B acquisition of One Medical and Amazon's $1.7B acquisition of iRobot. I also worked on transactions for Nike, Starbucks and Nordstrom. I help two types of people. First, non-traditional candidates including non-finance majors, non-target school students and career switchers who feel like the door is closed. I got in without a finance degree and I know exactly how to position your story to get past the gatekeepers. Second, analysts at regional or middle market banks who want to lateral up to Goldman, Morgan Stanley or top boutiques. I made that exact move and I know what it takes on both sides of the table. If you think your background disqualifies you, it probably does not. Mine almost did and I found a way through anyway.

Welcome to my profile! I’m qualified to coach in investment banking because I’ve worked in the IB environment and understand exactly what banks look for, in interviews and on the job. I bring hands-on investment banking experience from firms such as Morgan Stanley and Société Générale, where I worked on live M&A and capital markets transactions, building financial models, valuations, and pitchbooks under real deal timelines. This exposure gives me a clear understanding of how banks assess technical ability, commercial judgment, and execution mindset, not just whether someone can answer technical questions. I’ve coached international candidates across undergraduate, master’s, and lateral-hire tracks targeting bulge bracket, elite boutique, and strong middle-market banks. My coaching focuses on structured technical mastery, practical financial modeling intuition, and crisp deal storytelling, combined with direct, honest feedback. No shortcuts, no memorized answers, just clear fundamentals, repetition where it matters, and interview readiness aligned with real IB expectations. If you’re serious about breaking into investment banking and want practical guidance from someone who’s been there, I’d be happy to help. Let's connect and strategize your path to success in investment banking!