Target Undergrad Seeking Career Advice (MBB v IBD)
Hey guys,
First time poster, long time lurker here. Wanted to first reach out by saying thanks for all the advice you guys have given out in previous posts on this site, the tangible effect it has is ridiculous.
I'm currently a rising junior at a Top 20 university, top 10 Undergrad Business School (consistent recruiting and placement from what I've seen) in the southeast US, and really need some help figuring out what I need to do for this upcoming junior year. Here's some info
Finance & Philosophy
3.5 Cum GPA, 3.7 Major GPA
Past Work Experience: Data Analyst at Successful Social Media Tech Startup (Freshman Year Summer), Random position at the business school (Sophomore School Year), PE Intern at a Fund Administrator in NY (Sophomore Summer), Google (Sophomore Summer)
Various Extracurriculars: Consulting Clubs, Investment Clubs, Assistant Director of Non-Profit, Club Sports, Editor on Magazine, Fraternity, Homeless Outreach programs, etc. etc.
Also a minority if anyone wants to give advice about diversity programs
My long-term goal is to work for an MBB, or have a short-lived MBB career before jumping back over to tech.
This is where the issue presents itself. I know I have a lot of work to do, but don't know where to start allocating those efforts. I know that it is much harder to snag an MBB internship stint compared to BB IBD (in general). Because of this, I don't know whether to sack up, start practicing technicals and networking for an IBD SA position, even though I know this is not what I want to do FT, and use it to try and leverage a FT MBB position or to just try my best to grab an MBB internship this year. I know that it's hard to time the prep for both fields, as well as it being difficult to prep for both in general (the analogy I've heard is trying to make the tennis and football team at the same time), so I'm seriously lost right now. The tech aspect comes into play with its spring application deadline and would be with vying for an internship with Google once more, out of the time frame of normal MBB and BB IB recruiting, and I'd say I have a decent chance of being selected for that although it's definitely not remotely guaranteed. This is definitely secondary to an MBB position.
That may not have come out as clearly as I wanted it to, but I desperately need some help and guidance. HELP ME WSO! Thanks again, you guys are awesome.
These days I can't imagine banking experience as a junior would be looked at any more favorably than top tier tech experience. If I were you I would focus on trying to get an MBB offer this fall and recruit for tech simultaneously. Don't bog yourself down with the banking prep if it's not something you want to do. Not to mention the fact that you will probably have a really miserable summer in banking if you aren't interested in something that finance heavy.
Thanks for getting back so quickly man. It's just with far more limited space regarding consulting internships (MBB ACI/BAI), it seems like the only viable option is to try and cement a BB SA position first. In my mind I thought I could just barrel through the 10 weeks no matter how bad they were. I guess you're right, throwing out the option with the highest probability is just frustrating because it seems like im putting all my eggs in a fairly small basket (chances of MBB + tech)
tech is not a small basket... Apply to every tech and consulting firm you can. Tier 2 is still good experience for MBB if that doesn't work out the first time.
My thoughts exactly. Tech is huge. Even if you don't get a summer spot in consulting keep your network up at the MBBs and you'll get an interview senior year. From there just do well on your cases and you'll be fine.
Hi there,
1st year IBD analyst here. I had the same choice in my final year at business school and here what I have to say to you: DO WHAT YOU WANT BEST. MBB internship is no way tougher to get that an IBD one.
In your particular case, I would advise you to apply for MBB as well as tech environment on a big scale to maximize your chances, as the recruitment process currently ofter makes me think about the lottery.
I have realised that a lot of grads get so much focuses on those couple of big names everybody thinks are cool and they need to get into, which is not true at all.
Aside from MBB, there are bunch of EXCELLENT and WELL REGARDED firms which are not know to big public (e.g. Delta Partners).
So try to expand your view and start applying asap. Good luck!
Thanks for all the dope responses guys. Also I didn't mean that tech as a sector is a "small basket", I meant that the chances of getting an internship at an MBB or at a larger tech gig (fb, google, etc.) were relatively slimmer than the other options.
@13th Interesting. I was always told it's much harder to grab an MBB Intern position than a BB FO for example. I'll take that into account though, thanks
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