What IBD like?

Are the people yeehaw hillbillies? Is it good culture wise? Fun? I'd suspect it to be super affordable given IB salary and cost of living. Any insights

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I’ve actually heard a lot of not so good things about Jefferies Houston office like it’s a literal sweatshop. For the best culture, I think TPH or Simmons takes the bait.

 
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Prospect here, but the conversations that I have had with Houston have been much more relaxed than NYC. Don't get the hillbilly vibe at all and Houston is much more hip than I would have expected (I'm not from the south). The people who I have talked to have even offered me to introduce me to coworkers of course but also to their friends at other banks which is strange but super nice. The thing with Houston is though, they definitly ask what your connection is to Houston and why you are interested in energy. If you cannot answer those questions well they will not even consider you for the most part because they are suspicious of people using it as a springboard to NYC after a summer internship in Houston. Same if not higher pay at some firms, and no state tax, plus super affordable in general. You'll need a car though most likely, so maybe it balances out a bit.

 

Very true- the people in Houston are very good at telling who actually wants to be in houston/energy longterm. While there are kids from ivy league schools, most come from the Texas targets (UT, Texas A&M, Rice, SMU). Even the Texas kids get interrogated on why Houston/ why energy as they're very wary of people trying to "use" them to get to NYC. In terms of PE exits- if you're not interested in oil & gas/ energy then I would look elsewhere. While there some people that exit to generalist PE, the majority exit into energy focused groups/funds. Exits depend on your bank but like NYC range from MF to LMM. I find the culture is more laid back but that doesn't mean these guys don't work long hours and such. Yes Jefferies is a sweatshop in Houston, but they are very well compensated. Oh, and if you are from up North and you are seriously considering Houston, I would take a trip down here sometime between May-September. Houston is ridiculously hot & humid, and I think you should experience it and see how you like it before committing to 2+ years here. I would compare it Chicago/Minneapolis winters in terms of extreme seasons.

 

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