I'm currently a sophomore at a target school seeking internships for summer 2016. I'm very interested in banking, and was able to land an offer from a boutique energy banking firm in Houston called KLR group. With the help of contacts, I was also able to land an offer from a large tier 2 European bank (think SocGen, BNP, Credit Agricole) for a global markets summer analyst position.
Considering that I'm definitely more interested in banking, should I go with KLR or should I go with the large bank because its a bigger name even if its for a <span class='keyword_link'><a href="/resources/careers/jobs/sales-and-trading">sales and trading</a></span> <span class='keyword_link'><a href="/internship-survival-guide-overview">summer internship</a></span>? Does anyone have any info on KLR group's dealflow or reputation? From what I've heard, they are a growing boutique with a lot of smart people working there but I wanted to confirm this. Of course, I'm continuing to search for internships (mainly banking) but besides boutiques, most banks aren't interested in taking sophomores.
IBD, the ins and outs of deals are crucial when interviewing for a BB slot. Being able to speak to a deal that you worked on is monumental.
Conventional wisdom on this site is going to tell you to go with the corporate finance role every time. Don't listen to that. The jobs are similar enough that you should go with the role that will help further your personal growth and make you as interesting a candidate as possible.
From the looks of it, these guys are doing zero M&A, purely capital raisings. OIl & gas is a cool space to be in right now, but no one is raising capital through the traditional channels. Also, no one in M&A really cares to hear about capital raise deal experience (trust me). It's still interesting, but it's not automatically the right choice because it's banking and you want to do banking next year.
It's not like the S&T role is any more relevant, I just feel it has high value in its own way. I have to imagine you'd work with a highly intelligent, diverse team at the T2 bank - not saying this wouldn't be the case at the boutique. Don't underestimate what this can do for you in interviews.
Regardless, you're going to get very interesting experience, but not M&A-relevant experience in either role. It entirely depends on what you want to do though. If you find anything like energy, restructuring, distressed debt, etc. could be interesting long-term, go KLR. If you aren't sure, probably best to go with the brand name.
Thank you for the detailed reply. You make a good point about how both experiences aren't really M&A relevant, so what matters most is the group of people I'm working with. I'm probably leaning towards the global markets position right now.
I think I side with trader timmy on this one for the reasons he outlined above. If you were a junior I might say choose KLR, but as a sophomore I don't think choosing the S&T gig will do you any harm. If anything it can help you spin your story better later on.
You should do the boutique ib if you want ib positions junior year. Doesn't even matter what you do, most people know sophomore year internships can sometimes be BS.
Error at sunt iusto ut nemo animi quidem consequatur. Nesciunt sapiente sit natus et cum non sint eveniet. Ea et voluptas quis ut et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...