EX-BANKERS EXPLAIN: Investment Banking Mistakes To AVOID In Your First Year

Starting your first year in investment banking, equity research, private equity, or private credit? Two senior practitioners share the mistakes they made, the ones they watched others make, and the unglamorous habits that separate the analysts who make it from the ones who don't.In this episode of What's the Big Deal?, Debs and Graham step away from the deal-of-the-week format for a candid conversation aimed at the next wave of summer analysts and first-year hires. From Lehman Brothers in 2005 to Aries Management today, they cover what actually matters in your first year, what doesn't, and how to recover when you inevitably get something wrong. WTBD Newsletter: https://webmail.wallstreetprep.com/wh... Follow Us On Socials: LinkedIn:   / wall-street-prep   Instagram:   / wallstreetprep   Resources: https://linktr.ee/wallstreetprep Timetstamps: 00:00 — Cold open: when you screw up, and you will screw up 00:33 — This week's topic: lessons for new starters in finance 03:09 — Graham's biggest mistake at Lehman Brothers 08:01 — Attention to detail in the age of AI 08:35 — Debs's career-limiting moment in equity research 10:45 — Why trust takes so long to rebuild 11:13 — The net debt error that should have ended a career (and didn't) 13:05 — Owning mistakes: recoverable vs. career-limiting 17:30 — Take every learning opportunity you can get 18:42 — How to ask questions that add value 20:07 — Why prep is the easiest way to stand out 21:15 — Boardroom exposure: don't waste it 22:19 — Standing out when the class is too big to be noticed 24:13 — Why sharp elbows are the wrong instinct 25:20 — Top survival tips: physical sanity, availability, sleep, calendar 29:08 — Follow your gut, ask for help, be a team player 30:44 — Closing thoughts Topics covered: → Graham's biggest screw-up at Lehman Brothers (and what his VP said) → Debs's near-career-limiting moment in equity research → Why finance math isn't the hard part of the job → Attention to detail and what AI changes (and doesn't) → The difference between recoverable mistakes and career-limiting ones → Why sharp elbows are the wrong instinct → How to ask questions that add value → Boardroom exposure: don't waste it → Prep, calendars, sleep, and the unglamorous habits that actually matter → Why being a team player matters more than being the smartest in the roomWhether you're starting a summer analyst program, a full-time analyst role, or moving into a buy-side seat for the first time, this is the episode for you. Why Wall Street Prep? Wall Street Prep is the trusted training provider for the world's top investment banks, private equity firms, Fortune 1000 companies and business schools. Our online training and instructor-led boot camps are direct adaptations of our corporate training, making Wall Street Prep the ideal choice for those looking to break into finance. DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, and you may lose some or all of your capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please conduct your own due diligence or consult with a certified professional before making any financial decisions.