UK vs USA Summer Analyst recruitment

Starting a masters programme at London School of Economics this September after completing 2 summer internships (both large respected financial firms, but not 'high' finance) during my 3 year UG degree.

For obvious reasons, I won't be going for FT recruitment next year, but rather a summer internship.

I've read a lot about summer analyst roles not being obtainable for seniors in the US, but I was wondering if the system is a bit less rigid in London? Particularly BB IBD and large fund AM (BR, Fidelity, etc)

Kind of scared about being auto-rejected for summer roles given my final year status

Any insight/knowledge would be appreciated
Thanks

 

Yeah its normal to apply for summer intern positions as a final year/masters student for London/Europe offices. Just make it clear to HR during the process so there isn't any confusion, and they can tell you straight up if they want you to take a gap year if you were to get a return offer, or there might be openings to continue as a FT analyst right after the internship.

 

Much appreciated!

As for the gap year, do you think sitting CFA1&2 comprises enough 'productivity'?. I'd assume planning to off cycle at another firm wouldn't go down well with HR.

 

Not all the banks will let you apply in your final year. It really depends. But if they don't want to, they make it very explicit on their career website. If it is not that clear, then you may want to give it a shot. Also, try not to apply to all the banks before your career fair. I was planning to apply FT to one, but HR on campus told me I should apply for a summer as it is how they recruit their future FT. With two relevant internships under your belt and with the LSE brand, you can be competitive for FT as well. Try to do a mix of FT and summer applications.

 
Best Response

yea thats correct, some firms hire exclusively from their summer classes. e.g. JPM whereas some EBs do often hire FT e.g. Evercore, Greenhill. Note this is also dependent on hiring needs and differs year by year. However this is just some observations of the past couple years. So its best for OP to network to find out which is the optimal course of action.

Re CFA, thats really up to u and if you think that benefits your future (e.g. you want to go into HF/AM). It doesn't really benefit a career in IBD though. I also suggest you make the most of the gap year before you dive into full time employment.

 

in most cases, BBs and large international banks (e.g. HSBC, BNP etc.) are willing to sponsor if you come straight out of undergrad in UK/EU. They won't do it if you apply from out of UK/EU schools. Some EBs and MMs do as well. For example, Lazard, Rothschild sponsor from what i know, whereas Evercore and Centerview do not.

 

I would talk to career service. They usually know which firms hire summer analysts. In London it is quit common. I know most/all of the boutique firms do it. With BB its not as simple. I know UBS hires graduates as interns, and I am sure a few other BBs will do that as well. Again. Career service and alumni should give you a rough understanding where you should apply as an intern and where as full time

 

Well what the career team should be able to tell you is what past students have done. That doesn't give you an exact list but at least some places that you can apply too.

 

I was in the exact same situation last year, now I'm done with the LSE (did Finance and PE) and I'm starting a summer at a BB in two days.

It generally depends on the bank, some have a very strict rule about accepting only penultimate year interns (GS, JPM and some European ones), but there are ways you can go around it.

Hit me up if you need help with anything, LSE- or applications-wise.

 

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