u/Sensitive-Boss7102

From what I've learned, both are competitive, but in different ways.

In the US, breaking into investment banking is extremely structured. Most analysts are hired from top universities through internships and campus recruiting. If you're not from a target school, it can be much harder, although it's still possible through networking and strong experience.

In India, the market is smaller, so there are fewer front-office investment banking roles available. Competition is high because many candidates are applying for a limited number of openings. At the same time, there are opportunities in valuation, corporate finance, transaction advisory, equity research, and boutique investment banks that can serve as entry points.

I think in both countries, your technical skills, internships, networking, and interview preparation matter a lot. There isn't an easy path, but if you build the right skills and keep applying consistently, you can definitely improve your chances.

For me, it has to be financial modeling. Earlier, I thought it was something only investment bankers used, but after learning more about finance, I realized it's useful in many roles like corporate finance, equity research, valuation, FP&A, and even startups. It teaches you how to analyze a company's financial statements, build projections, and understand whether a business is actually creating value. I also found that improving my Excel skills made a huge difference because almost every finance role requires it. If someone is just starting in finance, I'd definitely recommend focusing on accounting basics, Excel, and financial modeling before moving on to advanced topics.