Just finished my internship in M&A at a Boutique (think Roth, Laz / EUROPE).
Never skipped a week end, also analysts, associates and VPs are always there... no matter if it's Saturday or Sunday.
I like this job, never stop learning but imho not worth all the sacrifices (I know not everyone here think like this, but I respect your POVs and I can understand it), I am ok with pushing hard on live deals, but sometimes i just feel like much of the time is "wasted".
Where can I do something IB related but with a better work/life balance? Money are not the most important thing for me, I know I will earn less money but that's not a problem actually..
I was wondering maybe certain positions as Investment Analyst in London (?)
What's your opinion/advice on this?
Thanks guys
Go work for a local champion in your country (bank, good mid market boutique).
Man,
The point is that I am actually working for a local champion... The main point to improve my status would be changing sector but with a related activity... from IB to?.....
.
What do you like about M&A specifically? Is it making complex financial models? Because Fin analysts in corporate can end up doing a lot of similar work with a much better WLB. Is it understanding the dynamics of the industry? Go to a DD House (LEK/PEY). Hours are still quite long but nothing compared to IB M&A. It really depends what you intrinsically like about the M&A process to be able to find something similar
Actually as an intern it's hard to say which spefic part of the job I like since they don't let you work with complex financial models at this point..
Of course understanding the dynamics of the industries and acquiring knowledge of these industry is what excites me most.. Maybe I should apply as an investment analyst in some PE fund in UK, but it's difficult for an intern with no relevant experience to break in the industry..
Where I live, BIG4 is too much underpaid for the hours (similar to IB, except the week end) you do and also no benefits or significant career improvement until 35 yo I think
Reach out to people in DD-heavy strategy consulting. You may find it interesting
So now I am currently reaching people in different sectors. I finished my M&A EB internship and I am writing my final thesis ( I am still 23 yo, finishing my 2nd year of MSc)..
I was thinking about these sectors: LevFin, PWM, strategic consulting (MBB), Corporate M&A or trying the buy-side experience going into PEs (even tho they don't hire "interns").. ideally in Europe
Since I never tried these sectors before, I can't judge basing on the activity but only in terms of work life balance/pay.. Can you help me to classify each of this sector in terms of work life balance/pay?
can speak for a top levfin shop - work live balance is as bad as M&A. However for some shops it will be closer to DCM hours (9am-11pm).
Which kind of shops can be closer to dcm hours in europe?
Also, what about salaries
Painful as it is, I'd say do it for a couple years, then get out. You'll be sharply differentiated at that point (whereas now you are one of a large number of MSc graduates) and will have lots of skills and choices that you don't right now.
In my EB/Country it is EXTREMELY painful.
Just 2 week ends free in 6 mths and from analyst perspective situation does not change much
Corporate development or business valuation.. however, depending on the firm, work-life balance may not be great there either. It'll be an improvement though.
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