Competitive Summer Internship Choices (HS Senior)

Hi WSO,

I've been pushing hard to land an internship for this summer, both so I can make some college spending $ and so I can get some relevant experience.

I have the opportunity now to pursue either an internship with Citi/BOA/CS/Wells Fargo NYC office as a 'high school investment banking summer analyst' in a rotational program through different industry groups. Of course I wouldn't gain the experience comparable in a classic summer analyst program, but it is competitive, and a nice experience to have down already.

On the other hand, I have a different opportunity to work in a more structured internship in public finance, placement is up to chance (could be private/public sector).

The pub fin internship is more structured, more actual work, and is geared to help its participants network with professionals (pub fin professionals). There is also a larger cohort (40+ HS seniors), and it pays more money (~$1000 more, with a guaranteed $4k scholarship over 4 years). It is not something I am too interested in careerwise however.

On the other hand, the investment banking internship is less money/less structured+serious work, but there's no doubt having the experience on my resume will benefit me later down the line.

Which is the best choice?

 

I'd go with the bulge bracket investment banking experience. It's what you want to do, and being able to walk into your freshman year, with an experience like that under your belt, will help significantly in the recruiting process. Assuming you maintain a good GPA and go to a decent school, you are definitely a frontrunner for the JPM freshman internship. Consider the $17k you're missing out on from the public finance internship an opportunity cost.

 

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