Google vs PE Internship

Could you explain what Commerce does at Google? Sounds a bit like sourcing new advertising customers... If that assumption is true, it's the PE gig hands down.

In fact, I'd say it's the PE gig in any case UNLESS your internship is very directly related to Google's corporate finance department.

What year are you in school?

Assuming money isn't an issue I guess I would say PE internship would be your best bet considering your ideal endgame.

PE

This is tougher position than the previous forum. Can you expand on Googles job description? also if money is not an issue (considering rent etc.. in nyc) and Googles position being more "bo or mo" then I would probably choose the PE gig due to networking and actual skills that you will learn. Then again I am an undergrad myself so take it with a grain of salt I'm just putting myself in your shoes.

To the above posters: Google's BOLD program can be anything from Marketing to FP&A to Ops. Not sure if it's rotational or if you get assigned to one of their functions and stick out the whole 10 weeks there.

I also believe that "Commerce" just refers to Google's entire e-commerce group. Like Google Wallet and all that jazz.

i would take google and screw anything unpaid!

Tough spot:

As a soph it is almost always worth it to take paid vs unpaid when deciding between two solid opportunities. You don't want to run out of beer money during the school year and your Junior year internship is the most important. However, PE on the resume will give you a huge boost looking for a SA role from a non-target.

You need to get more information to make a decision.

GOOG: Try to find out what your function is more specifically. Is it finance related? If so I would take it hands down. You should be a (relatively) easy sell to tech groups after google corp fin. If you can't nail them down your decision is harder.

PE: What stage is the fund in? If it's fundraising, stay away. You will get very little actual experience and will walk away having traded 10 weeks of bitch work for a shiny PE gold star on your resume. Even if they are looking for deals, make sure you aren't cold calling or some shit. All that being said, this is still the 'safer' option as it is more traditional and will stand out on a resume.

I've been looking for more information regarding the Commerce Team, but have not been able to obtain any specifics of "commerce" yet (BOLD program info: http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/bold/). I'm still looking around and trying to get some feedback, hence posting here as well.

Say that I changed my "i-banking or bust" mentality... Expanding on career opportunities, does anyone know if going with GOOG would be a good pursuit? Or would the end-all, great career path be with i-banking

Definitely go with Google., especially if you're sophomore. If you are at a unpaid PE, chances are, its a no-name shop. No matter what, your Google brand name will draw attention and get you interviews while your PE shop may not.

Go with The Google.

surprisingly i was in the same situation last year...I ended up taking the PE offer which was actually paid and now have an SA offer at a Top BB...

Any unpaid internship, especially in finance, is unlikely to be very good. I would choose Google without a doubt. Google will definitely be more eye catching on a resume than a no-name MM PE firm. I could open a firm with $1000 and call myself a PE firm.

im in a similar situation, still haven't decided yet...

Have you tried trading up the PE internship to something paid? "I am really excited, really like the firm but financial considerations are an issue and I have been offered a paid position at google (not sure about name-dropping here but on balance probably).Would you consider offering me a small salary to help cover my expenses".

If they out and out reject it without even considering then as above it probably means you would be doing nothing of value anyway. In finance generally speaking, unless you got the job through some family connection, if you aren't being paid then the work you will doing won't be particularly interesting - even by finance standards.

How no name is the PE shop? There is a big difference between some sham (search for Blackmore or something like that...) and a legit MM shop with 2-4 b AUM. Has the PE team clarified what your expected role/hours would be?

As for Google, your role could be very BO. They do not have many solid business internships for undergrads, but a ton of BO/Ops/Sales/HR stuff that still needs doing.

Is there any precedent for said PE firm giving FT offers?