I have offers from JP Morgan, BoaML, Blair and Baird for summer associate position in Chicago. I am looking to stay in Chicago long term and have no interest in moving to NY.
Do I automatically go with BB or consider MM if I want to stay in chicago? If MM, Baird or blair?
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JP
Take BoA-ML last... you might get laid off sooner than you think.
JPM no questions. If you want to stay in Chicago and your position is in Chicago, kill it during the summer and get the offer.
Is this banking or research?
I would also pass on BAML for the same reason. JP would be the best for either banking or research.
For research, Baird is pretty legit also -- they have some good analysts there. IMO William Blair is pretty sketchy -- as a consumer of their research, I am never sure if they are being objective and separate from their banking operation (despite the global settlement). Half of their stuff strikes me as being pump artist research, at least on the smaller-end of the cap range.
You'll have the best exit opps from JP any way you cut it.
How are you asking this question? lol JP all the way...cmon easy one.
I would actually go ahead and say WBlair for this one. If you're gonna be in Chicago, you'll want to go to a firm that's headquartered there. WBlair has a great name in Chicago and also great exit opps to HF's, PE's, etc. if you're looking to get out of banking. It'll also depend on what your interests are. I'm assuming (not sure) JPM/BAML Chicago does most of their work in industrials and very little in other sectors. On the other hand, Blair does work in every industry out of their Chicago office.
Using the above argument, it automatically rules out JPM and BAML. Blair>Baird, so go with Blair.
BTW, I do not work at WBlair.
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