“My mentoring session with Andre was extremely valuable and gave me the clarity and direction I needed at an important stage of my application journey. He was kind, approachable, and generous with his time, creating an atmosphere in which I felt comfortable sharing my experiences, asking questions, and discussing my doubts openly.
One of the most helpful aspects of our conversation was his guidance on how to organize and communicate my personal story. Andre helped me understand how to connect different experiences into a coherent narrative, identify the elements that matter most, and explain their significance more clearly. His perspective was fundamental in helping me see how to present my background with greater confidence, purpose, and authenticity.
I particularly appreciated his advice on what to avoid. He helped me recognize that including every detail does not necessarily make a story stronger, and that being selective can make a message much more effective. Our discussion gave me a clearer understanding of how to avoid unnecessary repetition, keep my narrative focused, and ensure that each part contributes something meaningful to the overall application.
Andre also provided valuable guidance on how to organize the application process itself. He helped me think more clearly about priorities, how to approach the different components, and how to make the work feel more manageable. Having a clearer structure has made a difference to my mindset: instead of seeing the applications as one overwhelming task, I now feel better equipped to approach them through specific, achievable steps.
Another important takeaway was his advice on how to use the coming days effectively. Our conversation helped me understand where to focus my energy, which tasks deserve immediate attention, and how to establish a realistic plan. I left the session with a stronger sense of direction and a better understanding of how to balance thoughtful preparation with consistent progress.
What made the experience positive was the combination of practical guidance and encouragement. Andre offered suggestions in a considerate and constructive way, helping me reflect on my choices while also making me feel supported. His kindness made it easier to engage honestly with the process and to see areas for improvement as opportunities to strengthen my applications.
Overall, this session was fundamental in helping me understand both what I want to communicate and how to move forward. I now have a clearer approach to telling my story, organizing my applications, avoiding common mistakes, and planning the next few days with intention.
I am very grateful for Andre’s support and for the care he brought to our conversation. His advice gave me useful tools, renewed confidence, and a more focused approach to the work ahead. I would highly recommend a session with him to anyone seeking thoughtful guidance, practical direction, and a supportive space to develop their application narrative. The session helped me turn uncertainty into a clearer plan, and I feel much more prepared to make the most of the time ahead and present my experiences in a meaningful and convincing way.”
DCM is not part of IBD at banks i know, how is that even possible?
It it at some banks such as JPM, UBS, Barclays, CS etc
wow, i would feel scammed in that case. Try to change your group by reaching out to HR
To my knowledge CS recruits CMs separately
"Bloom where you're planted"- Coach Dabo Swinney
try to chitchat with your networking contacts/buddies/other SAs in the groups you like during this summer
but what do you think happened during group placement that made it turn out this way?
Pour one out for those that go through WF placement lmao
Sorry it happened to you. Similar thing happened to me except with ECM. Just go in with an open mind, maybe you’ll really enjoy it or, try to switch groups for full time. Network throughout the summer with other groups. If recruiting elsewhere for FT, say you enjoyed working with your coverage counterparts in xyz group and would rather focus on a specific sector than a specific product.
Fwiw I ended up enjoying my summer and went to ecm full time after ranking it 1st. Have a much better life than my coverage peers
Could be a blessing in disguise. Only makes sense to do coverage if you want to dip for PE or corp dev (and take a massive paycut). DCM is perfect if you want to be a long term banker, bc coverage hours will destroy you. No matter what you think, you still don't truly know what you want to do after IB so go into it with an open mind.Worst case scenario though you should be able to move into coverage for FT
This is good take. Would go in with open mind. Can always lateral later if you want.
DCM/ECM is boring as hell though
Can be boring but many weeks I work 8:30-8:00 mon-thurs and Friday 8:30-6 with 2-3 hours of weekend work. Depends on what you value.
Did you network at all during the group placement process?
Yep - but accidentally picked up the call from the head of the team from DCM FIG who pushed me without my acknowledge
Oh man I’m sorry. One of the lower tier groups at the firm I’m incoming at tried to schedule a call with me but I just didn’t respond to the email. Wish they wouldn’t do this stuff
My man. I don’t think this was your reason for getting the group. You probably weren’t gonna land the other groups you wanted.
ya this is why previous SAs told me to ignore emails from shitty groups hahah, lesson learned for next time
What bank?
I feel you on this one. Got placed into DCM last summer as well but moved internally to levfin for FT.
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