Offer decision: GS or GOOG SA

I'd go to Google.

The BOLD program sets you up to be a product manager after graduation, which is an awesome job at a company that looks incredible for grad school. Plus Google has pretty great perks, the Bay Area is really nice, etc etc. And diversity program = networking opportunities. They're gonna make it easy for you. Honestly, I'd consider Google over some SA i-banking positions.

GS Risk is middle office. You're at GS, but...you're in risk.

If you're determined to stay in finance, I guess you could make a case for GS. But if we're just comparing summer jobs, I think this is a no-brainer.

Google...all the way. GS may get mad love, but risk management is not even comparable to a role at Google. It would be questionable if it was IBD, but you could always go to GS IBD after the BOLD program, but the reverse or even going from RM --->IBD would be hard.

Agree with the guy above. The only thing shitty is the one hour commute, cant you find a place closer?

GOOG then recruit FT for investment banking. MO won't look as good on your resume, especially if you're a junior.

Google for sure. Echo the above statement, get a place closer to their offices rather than live in SF.

GOOG

Live in SF, the google bus stops on Van Ness I think I takes you down for free, they even have wifi and food I heard ... Nobody young who works at google lives in Mountainview or near it, they all move to SF as soon as they figure it out.

If I could get a job at GOOG I wouldn't be trying to do banking.

GOOG, no question. I had a similar scenario back in the day (late 90's, I'm old). I grew up in the midwest, went to school in the midwest, had internship offers in Chicago more in line with what I thought I wanted to do, but landed offers at Intel and Microsoft (Santa Clara and Mountain View, respectively). I was the same - had never been to California, had no idea what to expect. I rolled the dice, on the advice of some people in my life that I respect very much, and chose the Intel gig. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I linked up with a few other interns from other uni's, we shared an apartment in San Jose (in retrospect, we maybe should have stayed in SF because we were up there every weekend anyway). Let's put it this way - you might never want to go back home.

Wow, I didn't expect this kind of response, I expected WSO to say I was foolish to consider rejecting GS. I do like Google's people better honestly. The only thing I'm worried about is the work at google. I want to emphasize I am not an engineer, I do not code, and the position will be non cs, it will be financial analyst, so the first comment about becoming a project manager is less likely.

Does this change any of the above opinions?

Nope, go to Google every time in this situation. If it were IBD that'd be a different story, but for risk management...head west!

Nope. Doesn't change a thing. Always keep in mind that what you study in school is like the first 1% of what you eventually learn over the years of being on the job. Just because you haven't been exposed to something at school yet doesn't mean you won't eventually encounter it, and later go on to apply it in your work life.

Google, ainec

Still Google. Honestly, I wouldn't give a shit if it was GS IB either. Google is a really good opportunity to work in a cool environment and will open more doors for you post graduation. It will look better for b school down the road and gives you a different perspective than the cookie cutter i-bank.

googs

google is sick as hell, and you'll have an awesome summer. if you're worried about the commute, you can live in Mountain View or Palo Alto, but I guarantee that you won't regret spending the summer living in SF.

i had a roommate here in Palo Alto who did the bold program last summer, and he had a blast. he probably would have enjoyed living in SF more, that is if he wasn't so preoccupied with the motorcycle he bought to keep him company during his free time (that you'll have considerably less of at GS)

GS. If you want to be in finance, take the shortest route. Risk Management? I think understanding risk is the most important aspect in Finance. Making money is about measuring and taking appropriate risk. On the other hand, I am not knowledge about the risk group you are with, supporting Investment Banking Division.

GOOGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

go to Google and then try your hardest to get me an internship there ha...

but seriously...

Google. Here's the reason why: you are going to be working with Analytics. Analytics and Big Data are the next great frontier in computing and the next big thing(s). Analytics is still developing and is on the cusp of something big. If you can learn how to work with analytics software, your resume will be gold.

Run with Google and don't look back.

Wow so surprised how everyone here says Google. If you want to do finance, I say GS. If you just want a good job and nice lifestyle, then Google.

I would go with Google. If it was an IBD SA gig, it would be a tough call, but I'd jump on the Google gig for sure.

I think Google would yield a far better quality of life...I mean, Google is the dream company of our generation.

BUT - I've heard that the Google FA program is for those who weren't able to land BB internships... obviously this is a generalization, but the notion is out there for sure. I think you'd find yourself of much higher caliber than those around you at Google, but this probably wouldn't be the case at GS.

What an excellent predicament to be in - the two most respected company names in the world.

But yeah - if you want to do finance...why wouldn't you work for GS? Let's be honest with ourselves?

Wouldn't exposure to Google give you more of an edge to get into Goldman Sach's TMT Group after you go to Grad school?

Google. No question. You'd be an idiot to pass that up for a MO position.

GOOGLE of course. They are ranked the best company to work for.

You can always get into finance later on. Google is a rare opportunity. It will also be more interesting to talk about during interviews should you decide to go down another path.

Goldman Sachs

I think that this would be an even debate if it was IBD. MO is a no-brainer. GOOG ftw.

what do you guys think about BO/MO positions at GOOG? do you get a boost for future jobs/top bschools because its GOOG or are you still just another guy with a BO/MO position?

Beating a dead horse here but GOOG is the answer.

Google, for sure. MBA options from there will be really good!

Ah wow I had no idea this would get so much attention. Yeah the thing about gs, and why I was initially leaning towards gs was because my network within the firm is pretty strong that I think I could move to IBD if I performed well in risk, I was interviewed for GS IBD, went to accelerated superday in December and it just didn't work out. GS would be closer to my family, and my friends would be over here so I could visit/hang with them.

Google just feels like I'd be leaving so much behind over here, and I'm really unsure if I'd like the west coast honestly. And I initially thought that Google Finance was not at all comparable to a role in Google strategy or product management. But I realize that it is an amazing opportunity that I likely will never again have....

And would MBA's really view Financial Analyst as being that impressive? Google does offer a ton of mobility, so I could experience a year of marketing or a year abroad or sales for a year and get a ton of breadth to craft a killer mba app, but I feel like i might learn more at gs in terms of technical skills and honestly professional development.

I hope you take Google. There will be tons of time to get your ass kicked by a bank.

OP: What should I take? Almost everyone: GOOG OP: But I'm leaning to GS

haha Anyway, good luck on whatever you choose.

This is a tough situation that I'd love to be in.

I say Google. I think the people you meet there will help you thrive and grow.

Google - look backing, I'd take a Google offer over GS IBD

Google opens more doors. GS is a sinking ship, fuck that place, take the GOOG offer and don't look back.

google

I'd say GOOG as well, and it's not even close over a middle office position.

One thing to consider is that this is only for 3 months of your life. Part of the point of internships is to try something new and figure out what you want to do post graduation. Take a risk and do something that is out of your comfort zone. You can always get a full time position back in NYC, if you don't like the West coast experience, but maybe you like it so much that you end up out there long term. An internship with GOOG will open up plenty of full time recruiting opportunities in IB or really anywhere else that you'd want to go.

I could actually see a convincing argument that you would have a better shot at GS IB full time coming from GOOG versus GS MO.

Google, no-brainer since the GS position is in MO. I think it will be much easier to explain why you choose google than to explain why you were not able to get a FO job in your junior year. Then, as other people already said, it is just a 3 months internship and if you don't like the West Coast you can still move back and find a good job in NYC. Btw, this is probably the best chance you can get to try new things and live in new places and recruiters like this kind of experiences. Finally, If I had to interview you for an IBD position I would prefer to talk about your summer job at Google in California than to talk about what you did at GS Risk. PS: I'm pretty sure you can make tons of friend in San Francisco...

Not sure if anyone has told you this or not, but Google is definitely a better option. Perks at Google + doors open down the road = no brainer.

Google for sure. Even if it was GS IB, unless you've really got your heart set on IB or PE, I think the GOOG gig will definitely set you up for MBA or a very favorable long-term gig there. Or possibly a gig in VC - like Google Ventures.

go with google.

dude why would you live in San Francisco? screw commuting 2 hours a day. live in San Jose... plenty of nightlife and a much easier commute to Mountain View.

EDIT: i'm boring and lazy and like going to the gym before work so i might be biased.

is doing finance at Google really that comparable to FO at investment banks? Maybe I don't understand the role properly but I'm assuming it's FP&A, which doesn't sound so hot.

Google. This is barely a contest.

Google

GOOOOOOGLLEEEEEEE. I think like 3 people said GS... (I see a trend, follow it)

Both of these roles are "MO" roles. The "FO" roles at Google are the coders, not the people doing data analysis in excel.

Both of these companies are not what they used to be, though fine names for junior summer. Good luck OP. If you want to do finance, I'd pick GS.

Yeah I'm confused as to why everyone's hyping up doing finance at Google.

^ spot on TechBanking, sb'd

you should not live in SF, you should just live in mountain view

Definitely go with google, as mentioned by other people on this forum it is clearly the best choice for you. There are two great reasons for this:

1) Your summer experience is going to be ridiculously fun. One of my best friends interned there over the summer, and he had the time of his life. After hearing his stories, and visiting him after my banking internship was over, I honestly would say they do not believe in cost cutting. You will get a free lunch buffet everyday (made by a pretty good chef), they will host numerous crazy social events (I think they even had a party on a yacht/party boat one night), and you will have excellent hours. Also, it will not matter that your social network there is small. The other employees/interns there are very nice and you bond pretty quickly (and the girls are pretty attractive - you will not find that at gs).

2) If you want to go into IB, I still think this would be the better experience for you. They have a very robust internship program for their interns, so you will gain a broader and more interesting skill set. I know my friend got to work on a number of different projects with different groups and also had to do several presentations to senior people at the firm over the summer. Most importantly, however, is that this will be far easier to explain in an interview for IB the following school year. If someone came up to me in an interview with a google experience, it would stand out and be fairly interesting. Further, I would understand/respect someones decision to intern or work there. If you worked in MO and were trying to get into IB I would just think you failed to get an internship in IB the previous summer.

Comparable names on the resume, yet better bullet points w/ GOOG...so go west.

Don't be an idiot. Move to California and don't look back.

GS.

You can't code; you are second class citizen at Google. Exit opportunities will be other MO data crunching jobs. You might get lucky with another IPO but the pipeline after Facebook is very very weak.

Big data is good for coders/hackers and absolutely sucks for mindless data crunchers.

Also, your network at San Francisco Bay Area will be weaker. And here we speak a different language than WSO.

Plus, San Francisco is shit for parties or girls. And Palo Alto/Monutain View is even worse. Full of 3s and 4s that think they are 9s and 10s.

p.s., if you are female and does not look like an ogre, Google; you will be queen here.

Also second class citizen, but with a chance to become first class with smooth talking and some modeling training.

You can't network your way into being a coder.

I do think that vitaminc has a point. I am confident I could lateral into IBD at GS either after the summer or after one or two years of working in NYC there. As I mentioned, I have a pretty strong network at GS already think a Partner, MD, VPs. They were the reason I interviewed for accelerated IBD SA earlier this year, I got to the superday, but it didn't work out. My financial modeling skills are fine.
So I might be a second class citizen at GS.

I disagree at Goog, their culture is amazingly inviting. They don't treat other non coders differently than coders, they might not have as technical discussions though. I've met a BOLD intern who had lunch next to Sergei once, so the culture is very open, and you can meet all kinds of people.

It has occurred to me that Google would probably be a much more secure job.

Thanks for all of the replies, very helpful stuff.

GOOGLE in a heartbeat. Better quality of life, similar prestige, and you will be treated better.

Banking is overated tbh. And plus risk mgmt is like middle office.

Go with Google. It took me 10 years to move from risk to trading and although I love finance, the future is pretty bleak.I'm from NYC as well and think the quality of life is amazing on the West Coast compared to NYC.

If you had had a Front office Trading or IBD internship at Goldman it could have been a hard choice.

But seriously... MO risk is supbar compared to Google...

btw, MF7791 What were some of the questions you got in your GOOG interview?