Switching to Finance at 30+: The Honest Truth
You're not too old. But the path is different than it is for 22-year-olds.
Short answer: Yes, you can break into finance at 30+. No, you probably won't start as a Goldman Sachs analyst. Here's what actually works.
What's Closed vs. What's Open
Mostly Closed
- ✕Bulge bracket analyst programs (designed for 22-year-olds)
- ✕On-campus recruiting at target schools
- ✕Standard summer analyst internships
- ✕Entry-level PE associate roles (without IB first)
Still Open
- Middle-market and boutique IB (hire 30-year-old analysts)
- Corporate finance / FP&A roles
- MBA → Associate recruiting (the reset button)
- Wealth management / financial advisory
- Commercial banking / credit
- Fintech (cares about skills, not age)
What You Have That 22-Year-Olds Don't
Real Work Experience
8+ years of professional experience means you know how businesses operate. You've managed projects, dealt with clients, and delivered under pressure.
Clearer Motivation
You're not chasing prestige because your roommate did. You've thought about this. That clarity comes through in interviews.
Maturity
You can handle the hours, the stress, and the ambiguity without having a meltdown. Hiring managers know this.
The Three Realistic Paths
The MBA Reset
A top MBA (M7 or T15) lets you recruit for associate-level roles as if your previous career didn't matter. Banks actively recruit 28-32 year old MBA students.
Best for: Those with budget and time for 2-year program
Timeline: 2 years in school + recruiting during
Cost: $200K+ (but often worth it for career reset)
The Lateral Ladder
Start in an adjacent role, prove yourself, then lateral to your target. Takes longer but doesn't require grad school.
Example paths:
- • Big 4 TAS → Middle-market IB → Better firm
- • Corporate finance → Corp dev → PE-backed company
- • Commercial banking → Leveraged finance → Sponsor coverage
Timeline: 2-4 years for each step
The Direct Shot (Harder)
Network aggressively into boutique/middle-market banks that hire non-traditional candidates. This works, but it's a numbers game.
Requirements:
- • 150+ networking emails
- • Bulletproof technicals (you'll be tested harder)
- • Compelling story for "why finance now"
- • Target regional boutiques and middle-market firms
The Question You'll Be Asked 100 Times
"Why finance? Why now? Why didn't you do this earlier?"
Every interviewer will ask this. Your answer needs to be honest, specific, and forward-looking—not defensive.
Good answer framework:
"In my [previous role], I found myself most engaged when [specific finance-adjacent work]. After [specific trigger—deal you worked on, mentor conversation, etc.], I realized I wanted to be doing this full-time. I've spent the last [X months] preparing by [specific actions]."
Avoid:
- • "I want to make more money" (true but shallow)
- • "I should have done this earlier" (sounds like regret)
- • "My current job is boring" (negative framing)
What to Do Now
Learn financial modeling
Complete a Wall Street Prep, BIWS, or CFI course. Build models from scratch. This is non-negotiable.
Start networking yesterday
Find people who made similar transitions. LinkedIn search '[your background] to investment banking' and start reaching out.
Consider the CFA
Level I shows commitment and fills knowledge gaps. Especially valuable for asset management paths.
Get your story tight
Practice explaining your transition until it sounds natural, not rehearsed.
Target the right firms
Boutiques and middle-market banks hire 30-year-old analysts. Bulge brackets mostly don't.
Need Help Positioning Your Career Change?
Your resume needs to tell a clear story about why this transition makes sense. We can help.