DCM or Big4 FDD/TAS, which is better to pivot to IB?

Hi. 

I am an undergrad at a T50 with a decent business school, but not a target for IB

I have already accepted an offer for summer 2023 with a big4 for FDD/Deals Advisory in NYC. I have a good relationship with my campus's main recruiter for BofA's debt capital markets. I've done coffee chats with them, and am pretty confident I could get an internship offer for DCM if I pursued it. 

My main goal is to work in IB, probably MM after working for 1-2 years in another service line. I'm pretty sure big4 FDD would make it easier to pivot since I'd have some deals experience. Would BoFA's DCM be just as good/better to make this move? 

 

Both are doable (seen quite a few TAS -> IB transfers), but DCM has better pay so it's probably the best bet overall. Also transferring internally from a bank's DCM group to M&A/coverage is probably easier than coming in from outside the bank.

 
Most Helpful

It's funny because you would be doing much more applicable work in FDD/Deal Advisory; however, the "prestige" of being in DCM and the "brand awareness" of working at a big bank does materially more for your resume (quotations used due to the cringe required to type that). Moreover, if you can truly obtain an offer in DCM as well, I would take that over your other offer. . 

 

Blanditiis a facilis aliquam eum explicabo quas. Ut expedita consectetur expedita dignissimos quia nam labore.

Omnis facilis magnam sapiente cupiditate quam. Eius ullam recusandae illo voluptas et voluptatibus ducimus aut. Voluptatum earum cupiditate commodi qui enim. Fuga dolorem vitae esse qui rerum. Unde similique quibusdam nihil dolorem. Voluptatem itaque ut ut et. Et quas animi eos mollitia fugiat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”