What Does an Investment Banking Trainee Do?

An investment banking trainee works at an investment banking firm where she or he receives training and mentoring to become an investment banker in the future. Often, individuals must commit to remain with a company for a set period of time while being groomed in trainee positions for future investment banking positions. While working as an investment banking trainee, individuals are taught how to analyze investments and how to effectively manage client assets. Trainees may also be trained to develop new customer relationships and are coached in various sales techniques.

It is not uncommon for an investment banking trainee to be mentored by an individual who is already working in an investment banking career. Through this relationship, a trainee is able to gain insight on the skills needed to obtain investment banking positions, as well as feedback on job performance as a trainee. An individual trainee may be assigned a single mentor for one-on-one interaction or may be mentored in a group setting.

Firms that offer investment banking trainee positions usually require trainees to work at the office every day. Many trainees also work as stock brokers while learning how to perform investment banking duties. While in training, tasks often include shadowing or assisting others currently working in investment banking in order to witness customer interactions and other key investment banking tasks. When not directly interacting with investment bankers, trainees may be required to attend workshops, meetings and other training sessions to learn how to attract new customers, retain existing customers, research new investments, analyze investments on behalf of clients, sell new investments to clients and manage a client’s assets.

An investment banking trainee may be required to make a commitment in writing to remain with a firm for the duration of her or his training, as well as to work for a period of time for that firm after becoming an actual investment banker. Such helps to maximize and protect the firm’s investment in a trainee and also increases the likelihood that a trainee’s work efforts will contribute to the firm’s profits. It is not unusual, however, for an investment banking trainee to already work for a firm in some other capacity prior to targeting career advancement by becoming an investment banker. As part of a career planning strategy, many trainees continue to work with the same firm for several years before finding employment elsewhere or starting a new firm.