Which of these jobs would be better?

Hey guys, I have the option of taking two jobs my freshman summer:
1. BoA Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management - I've done this before. Easy, know what I'm getting into. bitch work basically.
2. More bitch work at a medium sized law firm, dealing with M&A stuff (getting through a family friend).

I know that choice 1 is more finance related, but I'm thinking that since PWM doesn't even have that much to do with ibanking (which i actually want to do), and since I'm already a candidate for leadership positions in finance related clubs (shows interest), idk whether this will actually be useful.

the M&A law firm is semi-related to finance, but not really. However, i enjoy law and personally find this more interesting than PWM. Also, I could gain contacts to small M&A shops through this job (idk how realistic that is, though).

So basically, does PWM give the perception of enough substantive finance experience (i know it doesn't actually give that much) to be worth it over the law firm, which i would enjoy marginally more? I know i should just take the job i like more, but i wanted to hear opinions on this aspect specifically. Then i will be holistically weighing pros and cons.

Thanks

 

I think the internship at the law firm would connect your story to IB more so than the BofA gig. If banks see that you did a PWM internship two years in a row, they'll assume that it's what you're interested in, and so it'll be harder to sell yourself. At least with the law firm, you could say that it got you interested in M&A, and led you towards a career in IB.

 
Best Response

The law firm, just as the others have said so far. You don't want to peg yourself with something that isn't your true interest, and PWM is often used as a stepping-stone to bigger things. If you were there before you even began college and now you're looking to return, it might give the wrong idea during IBD interviews.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

Fugiat omnis iusto quisquam et quia. Quo perferendis corrupti at id error harum laudantium laborum.

Dolorum consequatur vero excepturi repudiandae. Facilis ea est quaerat neque aliquam itaque iusto cumque. Maiores dolore fuga animi. Iste modi dolores sit est eum.

Sequi aliquam autem voluptatem accusantium ut eum sunt. Ea minima aliquam cumque sed rerum. Similique molestiae atque sed mollitia omnis.

Magnam fuga et est cum mollitia reiciendis impedit. Minus mollitia dolore accusamus cum qui vel. Omnis illum repellendus aspernatur cupiditate voluptatem vel aspernatur. Facilis quaerat vel assumenda debitis vel nulla sint. Voluptas nemo et eveniet architecto qui quis. Nesciunt at rerum veniam voluptatum quo ut aliquam et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.9%
  • 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 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • 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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
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...”