HF (continental Europe) vs BB ER (London) for top-tier HF in London

I currently hold offers for a L/S SM position based in continental Europe (PM is ex-Viking and has pedigree) and for an ER stint at an American BB in London. Both are FT offers after having interned previously. End goal is to work at one of the top L/S SM in London.

While I understand the HF gig provides direct investing experience I am not sure if it would position me better to potentially recruit for London roles vs being on the SS in London with a respected brand on my CV. 

Any help would be appreciated! 

16 Comments
 

Heading towards the SS gig in London. May consider coming back to this SM at some point, assuming they have headcount, but as I said above, end goal is SM in London.

 

compared to London they underpay interns. Anyway, it is gonna be quite diffcult to find a gig in Europe (no matter PE/HF/IB) paying c. €6k/month, which is nowadays (with some upside depending on the bank you interning at) the standard gross salary for an intern in London. Absolutely crazy for European standards, no matter whether you are based in Paris/Frankfurt/Zurich 

 

My personal view is that if your primary motive is your comp whilst an intern then you probably have the wrong priority list for the HF industry. Fundamentally, you are an entry level candidate and this is about acquiring skills to allow you to get a long-term HF gig. I don't know where the SS gig is but I would think taking an ex-Viking HF start-up could be interesting if you don't want to be in London in the long-term. I'd only take the SS gig if it was for a top team/bank in an interesting sector for a generalist long-term. 

 

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