Equity research --> investment banking?

Hi everyone,

For some context I'm currently a sophomore (at a non/semi-target + diversity) interning at a local boutique IB for the fall semester and  have secured an equity research sophomore summer internship. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on how this would position  me for junior summer BB IB or ER recruiting. I wanted to explore both ER and IB, two of my areas of interest- but do these experiences diverge too much and tell a confusing story? Or is it okay to have a resume demonstrating you thoroughly explored different areas?

I know a lot of junior summer IB interns have sophomore summer experience in PE, so would an ER sophomore summer opportunity stray too far from the beaten path? (Or do I not have to follow the beaten path?)

7 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:

  1. Positioning for Junior Summer BB IB or ER Recruiting:

    • Diverse Experience: Having both IB and ER internships can be beneficial. It shows that you have explored different areas within finance, which can be appealing to recruiters. It demonstrates your versatility and willingness to learn.
    • Storytelling: When it comes to your resume and interviews, it's crucial to craft a coherent narrative. Explain how each experience has contributed to your skill set and why you are now focused on a particular path (IB or ER). Highlight transferable skills and insights gained from each role.
  2. Comparing to PE Experience:

    • Sophomore Summer Experience: While many junior summer IB interns have PE experience, having an ER internship is not necessarily a disadvantage. ER provides strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of market trends, which are valuable in IB.
    • Unique Path: You don't have to follow the beaten path. Having a unique background can make you stand out. The key is to articulate how your experiences in ER and IB have prepared you for the challenges of a junior summer role in either field.
  3. Resume Strategy:

    • Highlight Key Skills: Emphasize skills such as financial modeling, market analysis, and client interaction. These are relevant to both IB and ER.
    • Coherent Narrative: Ensure your resume tells a clear story of your career exploration and how each role has built upon the previous one.

In summary, your diverse experiences in both equity research and investment banking can position you well for junior summer recruiting in either field. Focus on crafting a compelling narrative that ties your experiences together and highlights your readiness for the next step in your career.

Sources: Career Ladder: Equity Research vs. Investment Banking - (A Definitive Guide, Part 3), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/equity-research/career-ladder-equity-research-vs-investment-banking-a-definitive-guide-part-3?customgpt=1, Work/Life Balance: Equity Research vs. Investment Banking - (A Definitive Guide, Part 1), How Do Investment Bankers View Equity Research?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/equity-research-to-investment-banking-levfin?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Are you seriously asking do you think you should put one of your only finance internship experiences on your LinkedIn and mention it in interviews? No, you absolutely should not. Employers hate it when you talk about relevant learning experiences you’ve had in the past. It’s much better if you talked about your high school summer job flipping burgers at Taco Bell instead.

 

Well here are two things on my mind:

1. This wouldn’t be too relevant of an experience because I won’t even have had my sophomore summer internship by the time I’m recruiting (which happens before sophomore summer). Future internships are not as relevant as completed internships.

2. I’ve gotten advice from upperclassmen, who are in touch with recruiters, about banks not wanting to hear about sophomore summer experiences because it gives them one more reason not to take you for junior summer- what if you have the option to return to the same firm for junior summer after your sophomore summer internship? What if you use that return offer to reneg your junior summer opportunities/offers?

These are things I’m considering- but thanks for your input, I’ll keep it in mind as well

 

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