Cisco versus IB Boutique

All,
I am currently a junior and have been applying to many corporate finance internships for SA and IB SA. I have received an IB SA in San Francisco at a tech-focused boutique. The pay is very low, but I will be working on deals. I have also received an offer from Cisco's Capital Rotational Program for the summer. The pay here is about 4k month. What is the better of the two for exit opps? I want to get into PE or VC 6 or 7 years down the road.

Thanks

 
lasampdoria:
If your goal is PE/VC, then the choice is obvious.

This. Considering your boutique is tech-focused, it's a great feeder. If it was focused on industrials, I may go with Cisco.

Keep in mind, at Cisco it sounds like you'll be doing lots of non-finance activities. Will look good on your MBA, but put you behind your peers trying to get into PE/VC.

 

I am still a student, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Personally however, I would go for Cisco. Their development program will give you some fantastic training and it does have some fantastic "brand recognition". Keep in mind 2-4 years down the line at Cisco, I would probably get an MBA and/or work in a BB or boutique in Silicon Valley (hopefully in a tech focused group if you choose BB). Then 2-4 years after that. You should certainly be GOLDEN for PE/VC. So the timeline you are dealing with is roughly 6 to 10 years.

 

peinvestor2012, I feel the exact same way, however in my interviews I was told I would be doing a rotational program with activities such as corporate finance, accounting, treasury services as well as working with Cisco Capital(treasury & investments). If i was to take the job at Cisco, how hard is it to transfer over down the road to PE/VC?

 
Best Response
The_Falcon12:
peinvestor2012, I feel the exact same way, however in my interviews I was told I would be doing a rotational program with activities such as corporate finance, accounting, treasury services as well as working with Cisco Capital(treasury & investments). If i was to take the job at Cisco, how hard is it to transfer over down the road to PE/VC?

That's definitely better and more refined. I just know what I saw on a job description, but maybe they segregate it more by interests/experience.

Either way, its a crap shoot what you'll end up in. I got some FLDP offers out of my MBA program and took MM IB instead b/c controlling and accounting is god awful. Unless you like that stuff, I know most programs require a stint in that side. Treasury is a bit more interesting, but doesn't pertain to VC/PE. Investments could be interesting and FP&A will be helpful.

 

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