How much does school brand help for MM, boutiques in southeast?

I'm at a good target for BB's right below the level of WHYPS (think Columbia, Dartmouth, UChicago, Cornell, Duke). I'm networking through a few people I know in my hometown for middle market and boutique banks in the southeast. I would think that banks in the southeast would be partial to schools like UGA, Vandy, Duke, Tulane, Bama, Auburn, and more. Most people I've talked to think I'm smart for being at my school, but I would think these banks still prefer recruiting at regional schools. What do you think? If the BB IBD doesn't work out, I would be more than happy to work in a MM or boutique in my home town.

 

It's often about convincing them why do you want to be there rather than a BB in NY? Are you from the area, have family there? Some of these boutiques in small markets look for ties. I am from one of these in the SE and used to work there and that was my experience.

That being said, people like to recruit from where they go to school, etc. That being said, there aren't too many target degrees in the SE, so you would be competitive if you can show ties or some valid reason you want to be there.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

^^ Strongly Agree. I am a SE graduate and have interviewed at places like Lazard MM in Charlotte and SunTrust RH in Atlanta, just to name a couple, and a lot of the Fit/Behavorial questions were about why I wanted to work in the SE compared to NYC. For your question, school brand should help but having a solid story about wanting the SE will help you more.

 

I too am in the SE, and from what I have noticed in interviews, they are very concerned with finding someone who will stay at least 2-3 years, and not just ditch them as soon as you get an NY gig. Growing up and going to school in the SE has its advantages for applying to these boutiques because you can easily say "I was born and raised here, and have no plans to leave". Also, sev of the offices down here have tons of SE alumni, so that helps greatly.

 

Esse quasi qui at neque quia accusantium. Consequuntur quis ducimus porro. Minima et ut consequatur recusandae esse natus illum. Hic ut alias quia autem a laudantium ut occaecati. Sit quasi quia beatae provident debitis. Est recusandae deleniti nulla quis maxime.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”