Decisions, Decisions - Current sophmore

Alright monkeys, I'm a long-time lurker posting for some personal advice. I'm currently a sophomore and try as I might, I couldn't land a BB internship during recruiting season at my target. So I branched out as advised and applied to different opportunities. Anyways, I ended up getting an offer to do academic research at my target school in a topic roughly related to M&A.

I was just wondering what people's opinion on this is...I mean I think I'm going to accept it. It's kind of relevant and my goals for jr. year internship which are (starting with most preferred) mgmt. consulting, prop trading, dcm, ER, and ib (vast I know, but bear with me). So I guess my only question is would doing this summer research leave me way behind the pack when it comes to getting interviews next year for internships in those areas vs. doing something like an unpaid boutique internship or PWM somewhere this year?

11 Comments
 

Hmm...okay. Thanks for the advice. The only problem is I can't stall the research offer for more than say a week. And I'm also afraid of proverbially ending up with my di*k in the wind come summer in case I can't land a boutique internship (esp. given my home is in the middle of nowhere). Any other opinions? How much of a disadvantage would I face if I just went the research route? Also, while maybe the wrong forum, wouldn't research be better than boutique ib if my first choice for next year is mgmt. consulting? Because then I won't get the dreaded why not ib question?

 

It's just unfortunately not a bailable thing. At least I wouldn't do it personally though I definitely feel they are rushing. Trust me, I wish it were bailable.

 

Haha, I guess so. I'm generally risk-taking, but unfortunately (or fortunately?) risk-averse when it comes to finding and securing a job. So if I can't get anything in the next week to magically pop-up, I'll probably be taking it. I think I have a decent story though (other ways I can show interest in finance that I can also put down under activities) and I can probably also spin the research decently well. Combined with networking, I think it will end up alright...Actually, I'll stop comforting myself now.

If anyone else wants to chime in or tell me to grow a pair, turn down the research offer, and take the risk, feel free to do so...

 

Vero praesentium et non consectetur porro. Delectus quo consequatur ipsa rem magnam tempore omnis ea. Beatae qui et velit sed.

Dolor iure commodi ea sequi quisquam necessitatibus error dolor. Fuga rem eaque saepe vel repellendus.

Iure iusto reiciendis aliquam inventore. Expedita illo accusantium dolorem dicta minima iusto aspernatur doloremque. Sunt dolores similique non eaque ducimus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”