The Brutal Truths About Investment Banking
Episode 29 | October 13, 2025
In Episode 29 of The Coffee Chat Podcast, host Ben Dowell sits down with Evan, a Michigan State student who’s candidly exploring his goal of breaking into investment banking. Their conversation peels back the glossy reputation of Wall Street and reveals the discipline and self-awareness required to thrive.
Evan’s story starts with humility and ambition. After facing college rejections, he found opportunity and community at Michigan State. Like many freshmen interested in finance, he set his sights on a bulge bracket investment bank in New York. Ben encouraged him to approach that goal with what he calls a “mosaic mindset.”
“Every conversation you have in networking is a tile that builds a bigger picture,” Ben explains. “You don’t have to agree with every perspective, just collect those tiles to complete your mosaic.”
That mindset underscores one of the episode’s biggest lessons: success in finance isn’t linear. Each interaction, setback, and skill learned contributes to a fuller understanding of where you belong in the industry.
When Evan asked how to pitch his passion for music, Ben highlighted that standout hobbies can become a powerful differentiator if framed around the right attributes.
“There are two things you have to do to get a banking job: demonstrate the fundamentals and be memorable,” Ben said.
“Your hobby is your ticket to being memorable. Focus on the attributes that bankers value: discipline, consistency, and the willingness to get better every day.”
Ben also shared lessons from his own time in the Army, which shaped his approach to problem-solving and feedback. His key takeaway: learn to manage the sting.
“You’ll get feedback that stings,” Ben said. “But the only way to manage the sting is to get stung a lot of times. That’s how you grow thicker skin, and that’s how you survive in banking.”
As Evan reflected on maintaining motivation outside his school environment, Ben pointed to the power of environmental discipline.
“Your environment drives your habits,” he explained. “If you’re less productive at home, change your setting, work at the library, a café, anywhere that triggers focus.”
The episode closes with practical networking advice: send five to eight outreach emails every Monday, focus on consistency, and use the templates in the Adventis portal precisely.
“Email is a science,” Ben reminded listeners. “Don’t reinvent the wheel, follow the structure that works.”
Ultimately, “The Brutal Truths About Investment Banking” isn’t about discouragement; it’s about preparation. The path is demanding, but for those who can take feedback, adapt quickly, and stay motivated through challenges, investment banking offers unmatched growth. As Ben put it,
“You’ll work harder than you ever thought possible, but you’ll learn faster than you ever imagined.”
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