JPM M&A vs Centerview (Summer Analyst)
Hey Guys,
I know I've brought up this topic before but I've now narrowed down my decisions to these two places for this summer. I have no idea what I want to do after banking but would prefer not to go to business school. I'd also like to move to London to work in some capacity after 5-6 years.
It seems that I'm basically guaranteed M&A at JPM (or really any other group for that matter, good job networking) and Centerview is of course a generalist model (this is also their first year doing a summer program. Conversion at both places is going to be really high so its a non factor and I don't plan on shopping the offer. I have to decide by tomorrow.
Here are my thoughts:
JPM:
HUGE dealflow (especially right now)
Really like the people (more fratty-ish)
Global Brand
Big alumni network from my school which really looks out for its own
Better PE exit opps compared to Centerview
Tons of modelling experience
M&A is purely execution, lose some of the business strategy side
More competitive environment (higher stress, etc)
Tons of people, potential to get lost
Pay less than Centerview (not really important)
More execution oriented-less strategy in general
Centerview:
Smaller, more intimate experience
REALLY like the people (non-fratty, more chilled out)
Calmer environment
More strategy work - potentially more interesting
Growing firm that I can have a lot more impact in
Leaner deal team, more client exposure
Not enough dealflow potentially? (please address this)
No name brand
Worse exit opps
Longer hours (believe it or not)
Less execution work
I know this seems like a lot - I thought I had made up my mind until a conversation I had ten minutes ago - what are peoples thoughts again?
I promise you deal flow at Centerview is NOT a problem. Trust me on this one.
Agreed. Can't go wrong with either. If you wanted to do something on the debt side, then I'd say SLF or FSG at JPM. But if you indeed want to do M&A, I'd say go Centerview. Again-can't go wrong with either though (assuming you do like people at both).
Centerview has ABSURD deal flow - look at their list of deals. they have less than 100 people (I think) and have done as many large billion dollar deals as maybe a low BB which might have 2000 people in IBD
That said, JPM M&A is a stronger brand and is more well known so I would probably go with that unless you want to stay in IBD for good (and if that's true, Centerview sounds like an absolutely amazing place to be a lifetime banker and one of the only places I would ever consider continuing as an associate, along with GHL and Allen&Co)
Centerview would be my pick...stronger exit ops because of class size. Comp is pretty absurd
dude, just pick already and stop harassing us
tobo, why do you say that cview has longer hours? is that from talking to people at both firms?
What did you end up picking?
If you want to stay in banking it's a tougher choice, but I'd probably go with JPM (just my style).
But if you want to go do something outside of banking in the future, go with the JPM. The brand name will be recognized in any industry, any country.
Just my $0.02. You probably already picked anyway, so just know that whatever choice you made both are great options.
some great choices you're looking at. that said, if you're interested in moving to London you might be better off taking JP Morgan.... That's a brand name that's recognized around the globe.
I'd really like to question where the posters here are getting their information. Yes Centerview is a great boutique. But I have never seen or heard of analyst from there at a Megafund/MM PE shop. It's plausible that the exits are strong as people claim, but it all sounds sneakily second hand to me.
I have a friend who was an analyst there, now an associate, his opinion was that they lean towards A to A promotes, not the place to go for exits.
JP M&A on the other hand is well known for punching folks into top slots. They had one accepted to Farallon, one to KKR this past year. Don't want the poster misled.
centerview having worse exit opps?? are you kidding me? take centerview and dont look back. comp will be higher and you'll get looks from a lot of the top PE funds if thats what you're interested in
what did you end up taking???
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