Abraham has found that even a person in an entry-level position like hers can take on responsibility. A senior member of the firm manages each account. A junior member is associated with each senior member.

"You can do as much as you are qualified to," Abraham says. "It just depends on what you are capable of."

After the completing training programs, upward mobility is a possibility in most investment firms. Hsieh says that the process is usually very structured with the requirements for advancement very clear. However, he adds that many bankers wish to move to different areas of finance instead of concentrating on moving up in the company where they trained.

Walk into an investment banking office, and you will see mostly young faces. Since bankers are drawn directly from colleges, a characteristic office is made up mostly of people in their twenties. Both Abraham and Wang say their offices' social atmosphere is a benefit of their jobs.

"It's sort of like school again. You get a bunch of 22-year olds hanging out late at night. It's not very formal, so people will play music at night and joke around," Wang says.

Abraham says that she never feels isolated, rather the large amount of work each client demands makes the work team-oriented.

"Most our stuff is teamwork," she says.