Future Outlook: Advice for a Junior Weighing Entrepreneurship

Kikuichimonji — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:15:10 -0500

I'm currently a first semester Junior, getting ready for the recruiting process for summer internships. I'd been following WSO and WSJ for well over a year to prepare for the investment banks and other related jobs, but the recent meltdown has me reconsidering that path.

I've been toying with a start-up idea for a while now. If I choose to give up the traditional path of Banking/F500 CorpFin/Consulting, there are obviously many risks that it entails, not the least of which includes striking out on an unknown, probably unprofitable enterprise (for the first few years) that requires all the sweat and blood poured into banking, and then some.

Internship Advice

Kikuichimonji — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:29:06 -0400

I just completed my sophomore year at a top undergraduate business school, and have been searching for summer job experience for a while. I am facing a dilemma at the moment, and was wondering if anyone had advice.

I was able to find a PWM internship with Smith Barney, but it requires a commitment until December. On the other hand, I had been looking into a boutique technology investment bank for a Fall internship. However, that position is not guaranteed, but it obviously would be more relevant for SA recruiting. If I commit to Smith Barney, it would be difficult to juggle another internship and classwork.

What advice can you give me? Ideally I would work at Smith Barney over the summer, and work at the boutique over the Fall while rushing for the DSP fraternity on campus. I have had internship experience in a pharmaceutical start-up and in a technology firm in Asia, but would like to express interest in Finance.

Financial Technology Partners

Kikuichimonji — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:12:47 -0400

Hey guys,

I'm planning to do the Analyst Intern program at Financial Technology Partners in San Francisco this coming Fall, but I've heard that its brutal, doesn't really give interns modeling work/significant work, and a pretty bad experience. However, I've had marginal experience in Finance, and from my talks with current interns, it definitely shows a strong interest in Banking and provides a good talking point for BB interviews coming up next year (I'm a rising Junior). It's 20 hours a week, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice/comments on the validity of the firm and the experience.

Thanks.

Sophomore Internship for Haas Undergrad

Kikuichimonji — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:18:15 -0400

Hey,

I was recently accepted to Haas for UG Business, and am seeking a good shot at the SF offices of the BB's next year. Because Haas requires its students to take classes during the summer, I'm unfortunately extremely limited in my Sophomore internship search.