Brutal truth that I did not know

Hi everyone,

I am a rising senior and got an internship offer from BlackRock business operation. I did not have a clue what was BO, MO, FO and was just fanatic about spending my summer at BlackRock. Now, I started to do some research about what my job would be and realized some hatred, blame, condescending attitude of WSO forum toward BO. The reason why I was not familiar with BO (even though, I got an offer from BO) is... I first got an offer from fixed income strategy team, however the head of operation really wanted me and sort of persuaded the head of fixed income division to take me. I did not know much difference and business operation described their work as more client facing, which can maximize my language aptitudes and amiable characteristics.

Is BO seriously discriminated and looked down? And should I look for FO jobs after finishing this operation internship experience? I am still very confused and very worried about how people look down on me. I am from top 10 school with a lot of sports activities and over 3.8 gpa... many people asked me why I accepted the offer of BO... Now I am really frustrated.

Can someone give me some insights and suggest some guidelines?

4 Comments
 

BO in the workplace is always frowned upon. Be sure to bathe regularly and wear deodorant. Other people have to be around you

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Best Response

While I personally don't think there is anything wrong w/ a BO role if you enjoy it, it is looked down on by people in FO and MO. I started in a BO role and moved to a FO role after about a year and a half and noticed a marked difference in the way I was treated. The reason for my move to FO wasn't as much about how people treated me in BO, however, but rather about the work done in the BO, which I personally didn't find particularly interesting--e.g., reconciliation.

I was somewhat like you (good grades from a decent school..also had my law degree from a good school) in that I didn't really understand what I was getting into--also people I interviewed with claimed it was a MO role when it was just ops. Moving from the BO to FO isn't easy, but it's also not impossible. Just take every opportunity to show an interest and aptitude in what the FO does (e.g., start working toward CFA charter) and network like crazy. Once in BO, it will be harder to make it to FO though--there is a stigma to being BO that can be hard to shake. If you really want a FO role, then go for it (or at least a MO role) when applying for FT positions. Good luck.

 

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Only two sources I trust, Glenn Beck and singing woodland creatures.
 

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