Help with career decision - Gained a lot of experience

I graduated from a state school this past December and attempted to break into IB or ER through networking for about 5 months.

While I wasn't able to land anything, I certainly gained a lot from the experience and made a lot of contacts.

I recently started a position in Operations at a large investment bank in their FX Department. Obviously not where I want to be but I are it as a footman the door and I'm happy to be employed.

I just got an email from somebody I contacted a while ago that is a partner at a small investment bank in NYC.

He said they are considering me for a 2 month internship position, unpaid but with the possibility of getting a bonus check depending on performance.

I want to take this internship but I'm slightly hesitant only because a) I'm going from being paid to unpaid b) it's an unknown company (didn't come up in a search on WSO or glass door) so I'm not sure how valuable the internship would be in terms of landing interviews come sept/oct

What do you guys think I should do?

4 Comments
 

Hmm..tough spot. They say it's easier to find a job while you're employed.

Is there a chance for a FT offer at the end of the internship?

 

Doesn't look like it. He did say that if it went well they would offer me a paid internship next year but that's not what im looking for.

I would ideally use this experience to get interviews for an analyst position at a better known boutique or even hopefully MM firm.

Just not sure if the experience would be taken seriously? I don't know, I'm very torn.

I want IB or ER so i know I need the experience. I guess the question at hand is do I think the experience I will gain doing this internshipnis will get me there and therefore worth giving up a paying job?

 

Consequatur vero perferendis eius id eveniet cumque. Sunt in debitis saepe nemo non iusto sint. Voluptas distinctio dolore aut adipisci.

Commodi et numquam architecto provident non inventore et nihil. Et beatae deserunt ut expedita neque. Odio delectus nesciunt laboriosam dolores enim placeat. Aut possimus veritatis et et libero tempora dolor.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”