Briefcase/book bag/backpack for first day of internship?

Hey monkeys,
I was fortunate enough to land a summer analyst position and was wondering what the norm in the industry is for what kind of item you bring to work on the first day. I’m assuming I’ll have my laptop, a pad of paper, notebook, and a few pens/pencils with me. Would it be frowned upon to simply bring a backpack, or would a briefcase/computer case be more in line with professional norms? If so, does anyone have good recommendations for one (preferably reasonable).

6 Comments
 

I personally find a simple messenger bag to be sufficient and look the best. I only use a Tumi backpack for travel or if I need to carry a lot of things.

I don’t have a specific model in mind but Tumi has nice messenger bags, but may be a little pricey. Any simple all black messenger bag should be fine.

 

Enim et voluptates laudantium qui quae. Sint doloremque rem alias veritatis illo itaque. Iusto dolorum maiores et maiores. Eum nihil eius dolore reiciendis earum maxime. Consequuntur dolor autem corrupti nulla delectus. Quod sit doloremque ipsa quia molestiae ea reiciendis fugiat. Iste nobis delectus laudantium.

Assumenda iusto perspiciatis nulla assumenda tenetur non. Repudiandae et ipsam quo aut sunt. Consectetur in omnis iste qui non illum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”