Weekly wrap up August 8

Author

Ivy Almirol
August 08, 2026



Hey WSO Monkey,

Everyone talks about landing the role, but this week is more about understanding the seat. We’ve got London IB pressure, CVC and real assets career paths, and a reminder that not every job posting deserves your application.

-Patrick

Top Discussions

  1. Q&A | Associate, CVC | +5 Years in Real Assets PE and VC - "I'm currently an Associate at a Corporate Venture Capital firm with +5 years in Real Assets Private Equity and Venture Capital. I’m happy to answer questions on technical skills (modeling, startup analysis), day-to-day responsibilities, and exits into corporate roles."

  2. London IB BB Is a Challenge - "Just started at a London IB and yeah, it's not easy at all. Everyone's on edge, and juniors seem to be very cliquey because of how intense the workload is. Seniors either love the work they do or would rather be anywhere else but the job. I feel bad for the non-EU and British students that don't speak French or Italian because about half the floors are 50% Italian and not knowing the language makes it difficult to form meaningful connections. Staffing, resources, and availability of other data sources is v limited..."

  3. Polygraph by Polymarket - "News with skin in the game from the world’s largest prediction market. Each morning, get an email breaking down everything happening on Polymarket: the biggest shifts in odds, breaking news, new markets, whale moves, and much more. Join 1,428,136 readers who get their news on Polymarket."

Free Content Can Teach You Finance. It Can't Tell You If You're Recruiting Correctly.

You can learn how a DCF works from YouTube.

You can memorize interview questions from Reddit.

You can download every guide on the internet.

But none of those resources will tell you whether your resume is competitive, your networking messages are working, or your interview answers would earn an offer.

That's where WSO Academy is different.

Instead of guessing, students work through a structured recruiting system with mentor feedback, live mock interviews, technical training, and personalized networking guidance. That system has helped qualified participants achieve an 88% placement rate and earn 986 verified finance and consulting offers across investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, consulting, and more.

The biggest difference between students who break in and students who keep preparing isn't usually effort.

It's knowing exactly what to improve next.

Top Discussions (contd.)

  1. UBS 2nd Year Analyst Q&A (2026) - "The people are the real issue. The hours would be fine if we were doing deals and the people were better. The people are all miserable and want to pass that misery onto others. Verbal abuse, humiliation, lack of any decency or kindness really adds up over the 2 years."

  2. What Is Your Backup Plan? - "Run a small business in a beach town and be content with making $250k in a VLCOL environment where I can golf and surf whenever I want."

  3. Laughable Job Posting - "Scrolled past this on LinkedIn and laughed out loud. This is a joke even for a fresh grad… 100+ applicants, and they want 3+ years of experience. I would rather caddy at a golf course and bartend at a classy restaurant and make double. Sad that so many companies can get away with it right now just for the experience and because of the competition..."

New Podcasts Coming in Hot 🔥

  • How This 'Non-Target' Math Major Broke Into Investment Banking (Starting in January!)

  • From Pre-Med in Vietnam to Wall Street: How This Non-Target Student Broke Into IB

  • Before You Choose a Finance Career, Watch This

Hot Jobs 💼

Associate - "We are hiring a full-time Investment Associate in our Baltimore office to help us find, evaluate, and close our next investments in late-stage software and technology companies..."

Investment Banking Analyst Intern - "Westcove is seeking an Investment Banking Analyst Intern to join the team as soon as possible for a minimum 10-week internship. This is a structured, full-time, in-person role based in our Los Angeles office five days per week. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of Los Angeles or be prepared to relocate to the Los Angeles area before the role begins and available to work in person for the full duration of the internship..."

Investment Banking Vice President - "This involves reviewing AI outputs for correctness, methodological rigour, and commercial relevance—then building evaluation criteria and model answers that reflect how things are actually done at top-tier banks…"

Private Equity Expert - "Mercor is recruiting U.S./UK/Canada/Europe/Australia-based Private Equity Experts for a research project with a leading foundational model AI lab."

Financial Modeling Expert - "In this highly visible role, you will deploy your deep expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and deal structuring to support major investment decisions across diverse sectors..."

WSO Mentor - "Are you an experienced professional with a background in investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, S&T, venture capital, asset management, equity research, quant finance, corporate dev, real estate finance, or top-tier consulting? Passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders? Wall Street Oasis (WSO) is expanding its Mentorship Program, and we're looking for outstanding professionals to join our mentor roster—an elite network supporting students and young professionals as they prepare for high-stakes careers. Whether you’re looking to give back, stay connected to rising talent, or sharpen your coaching skills, this role offers you the chance to make a meaningful impact, remotely and on your schedule..."

On Deck - Training 🎓

All in Eastern Standard Time

Stay Strong,
Patrick Curtis
CEO and Founder, WallStreetOasis.com

WSO Mobile App: iOS | Android

PS - We're also always looking to add resume reviewers and WSO Mentors to our team. Set your own pay (from $40/hr to up to $400/hr) to increase or decrease mentee flow. To submit an application, go here.

PPS - Think you have an interesting story? Want to share it with our podcast listeners? Hit reply and let me know!




* PE Interview Bootcamp includes lifetime access to the PE Interview Course
** FMV Bootcamp includes lifetime access to the Elite Modeling Package
*** IB Interview Bootcamp includes lifetime access to the IB Interview Course