Pictured: Jeronimo Delgado

Editor's Note: This is the second of a series of articles about navigating the college-to-career process. The articles are written by Jeronimo Delgado. Delgado studied International Business and Finance at Universidad Pontificia de Comillas and Northeastern University. He has worked in investment banking the past four years and is now working at a private equity firm in New York. He has a good friend from Bronxville who recommended he share what he has learned with this community.  Here is a link to the first article: From College to Career - Starting the Journey.

By Jeronimo Delgado

Sept. 3, 2025: Trying things out is where it all begins. But once you’ve dipped your toes into a few different experiences, the next step is just as critical: doing the research. And I don’t mean the kind of research that involves dusting off an academic paper or reading a university brochure. I’m talking about getting your hands on the real, unfiltered insights that help you understand what a career path actually looks and feels like.

When I first started thinking about finance, I didn’t really know what that meant. I heard it was a good career path – smart people, strong compensation, high expectations – but that was about it. I had no idea what investment bankers did all day or what a private equity investor actually worked on. The words sounded impressive, but the day-to-day reality behind them? A complete mystery, at least to me.

It's Easy to Learn More About Your Potential Career

So, I did what most people my age do when they want to learn something: I looked it up online. And that’s when everything started to shift. I discovered a goldmine of useful, practical content – most of it created by people not that much older than me. There were YouTube videos showing “Day in the Life of an Investment Banker,” Reddit threads breaking down job offers and exit opportunities, LinkedIn posts from professionals sharing honest reflections, and blog articles comparing roles I had only vaguely heard of.

What stood out most to me was how little of this information was available through traditional sources. I wasn’t finding it in lectures or official websites. I was finding it through people – people who had been in my shoes just a few years earlier and had taken the time to share what they’d learned.

This kind of research helped me realize that finance wasn’t just about spreadsheets and numbers. It was about decision-making, analysis, and strategy. The more I read, the more intrigued I became. It wasn't long before I found myself going down rabbit holes late at night, watching Warren Buffett interviews or reading about how investors evaluate a company.

I was becoming obsessed – and not in a forced, academic way. It felt natural, even exciting. That’s how I knew I was on the right track. When you’re researching something and it doesn’t feel like a chore (i.e. when you’re doing it because you genuinely want to understand more) that’s a strong sign you’re onto something that matters to you.

Researching Smarter

So how can you start researching smarter? Here are a few practical tips that helped me:

1. Watch videos by real professionals. Search “a day in the life of a [job title]” on YouTube. Don’t just watch one – watch five or ten. Compare what different people say. Look at their energy, their body language, how they talk about their work. Are they energized? Burned out? Do they like their team? These are clues that go far beyond a job description.

2. Read blog posts, forums, and personal stories. Some of the best insights come from people sharing their personal journey. Sites like Medium or Reddit (especially subreddits like r/FinancialCareers or r/consulting) are full of honest accounts from people navigating their own decisions. Don’t just read success stories – read the ones about failure or second thoughts. Those are just as valuable.

3. Use LinkedIn to trace real career paths. Find someone who works in a job you’re curious about. Look at where they went to school, what internships they did, what roles they took on early in their career. Careers aren’t usually a straight line. Seeing how others moved from one role to another can help you understand what paths are realistic – and which ones align with your interests.

4. Reach out for short, informal chats. This doesn’t have to be awkward. A simple LinkedIn message that says, “Hey, I’m a student interested in what you do. I’d love to hear about your experience if you’re open to a quick call,” can go a long way. Not everyone will respond, but some will – and those conversations can give you invaluable clarity.

5. Pay attention to company culture. Websites like Glassdoor or Fishbowl give you insight into what it’s like to work at specific companies. Culture matters. The best role in the world can turn into a nightmare if the environment isn’t right. Look for red flags – and green ones too.

6. Don’t forget to research yourself. This may sound strange, but part of career research is looking inward. Keep track of how you feel after reading or watching something. Are you more curious? Less? Do you picture yourself in that role? Are you energized or drained just thinking about it? Your reactions are part of the data.

When I was considering my co-op options at Northeastern, I used all of this research to evaluate where I wanted to go next. That’s how I knew I wanted to test myself in investment banking. I had read enough, watched enough, and talked to enough people to feel confident that, hard as it might be, it was the right next step.

And that confidence made a difference. When I walked into interviews, I wasn’t just another student listing off bullet points from my resume. I was someone who had done the work – someone who had thought about the role, understood the lifestyle, and was mentally prepared for what it would demand.

Doing your homework doesn't mean you’ll avoid every mistake or regret. But it means you’ll make more intentional choices. You’ll walk into experiences knowing what you’re trying to learn. And when things don’t feel right, you’ll recognize it faster, and adjust accordingly.

One last point: research isn’t a one-time thing. It’s ongoing. Every new experience gives you more data. Every conversation refines your understanding. Keep learning, keep digging, and stay curious. The more informed you are, the easier it becomes to spot the right path when it finally appears in front of you.

And when that moment comes, you won’t hesitate.