Become a PWM Analyst

I am looking to enter wealth management and want to become an analyst in the PWM division at a major bank after senior year. I am currently a junior at a top liberal arts school with ~3.5 GPA.

I am curious to know what recruiters are looking at in terms of work experience for PWM first year analysts.

Are they looking for internships beyond PWM? I interned this past semester at a small financial advising firm and have opportunities to work for brokers with Morgan Stanley or Smith Barney this upcoming summer. Should I also be considering internship opportunities in other departments? Lastly, I will probably be interning with the Ayco Company (GS Subsidiary) senior fall semester. --Kinda seems like PWM internship overload to me...

Any advice would be appreciated.

 
Best Response

That sounds like a pretty good resume if you're trying to break into PWM. The best way to get a FT offer is to try for an internship in PWM at one of the big banks. Something like 90% of interns at BB PWM are offered the FT position and on top of that you will see how much you like PWM or not. With your resume, you should probably be given an interview by these firms, and from there its up to you. They are looking for someone who can combine a strong analytical candidate with someone who is very personable, easy going, and good with clients. In interviews you do NOT want to be the kid who rattles of different ways to value a company etc. PM me if you have any more in depth questions.

 

Stros is right.

Don't be a gunner in interviews. Be sharp, be polished, be smooth and confident. You've got a good pedigree. Just ease the ship into port.

Do the internship and get the FT offer.

********************************* “The American father is never seen in London. He passes his life entirely in Wall Street and communicates with his family once a month by means of a telegram in cipher.” - Oscar Wilde
 

The opportunities this summer are not for the formal PWM internship offered by the BB. I would be working under either regional PWM branches or in NYC for a very successful PWM Group.

I screwed up with the formal internships offered by the BBs. I am going abroad next semester and leaving super early - Dec 31st and I had not realized this until it was too late-- and I can't get a accelerated interview now. So I won't be in a position to get a FT after my internship. I'll have to apply again and hope to leverage my regional brokers to put in a good word for me

Do you still think these BBs will still respect the internships working for individual groups or brokers?

 

That being the case, getting a PWM internship somewhere else is your best bet. What do you mean by regional offices? I did not intern with a BB and managed to get an interview and eventually the position. At this point in the process the #1 ultimate, supreme, ideal goal is to get an interview with a firm. From there you have an opportunity to make an impression on them with A. the knowledge you gained from the other firms and B. your personality. Discuss how you can leverage the outside perspectives from other firms and use it to better suit the BB clients (seeing and experiencing different investment ideas is something they LOVE)

 

I would go with the MS group in NYC. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is obviously the same company and therefore the platforms MAY be similar. That being said, I know that for the HNW and UHNW clients they fall under the MS services whereas Smith Barney is just a brokerage firm. MS is definitely going to be you best bet and have the most reputation when looking for a FT position. You might also get a FT offer from MS which would be great. I would not worry about the pay at this point...What difference is a little money going to make in the long run?

 

Thanks for the advice. If I can find a decent living situation I will probably go the MS route. If that doesn't work out I'll still be happy interning for the other two groups.

 

4frnt

I was in nearly the exact same situation you were a year ago and I would definitely say go with either the MS or Merrill (I'm partial to Merrill) internships.

I interned with Merrill in GWM and was able to relate a lot of my experience to what they were looking for at the company I am now with for PWM. The key is to network like crazy and keep your GPA at that 3.5 level because a lot of places seem to make their cut off there and it makes getting interviews a lot easier. It seems like you are on the right track and you should be fine. Good luck in your search and your decision.

 

Voluptatem hic rem quod. Sint quis voluptatem itaque. Est labore est magni repellendus impedit rerum. Animi reprehenderit itaque quia optio.

Quam minus ut consequatur voluptas quo sit. Non temporibus ipsa molestiae. Autem magni quis laudantium temporibus consectetur ad sit.

Harum minima consequatur delectus nihil aperiam et. Id beatae et necessitatibus totam. Eos explicabo unde enim error ipsam sit. Reprehenderit fugit nam velit est et possimus.

Reprehenderit non incidunt nesciunt suscipit quia. Harum repellat provident numquam. Est magni voluptatem et laudantium.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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...”