I have failed as a GS Intern - advice

Hi guys,
Long story short: I am not getting a return offer. lol.
Am I allowed to take my vacation days (6 days) and leave asap? I cannot bear the thought of going through hell every day knowing how little everybody thinks of me. I really can’t. I have missed two weeks due to visa issues, and now leaving early might be even worse. But do I have anything to lose? Any thoughts of people who have been in this industry for a while? Maybe even GS guys? The program was 12 weeks long.


My last day is on 31st of March, it’s a Monday. Since most said to not take the days off, would it be okay to at least make the Friday my last day? So it would technically be just that one Monday off. Or would you recommend to not do so?

I don’t need to be further slammed in the face community, I‘ve already hit rock bottom so please just be nice 

22 Comments
 

Feel you - also interned at an EB and didn’t get a return offer. I’ll advise staying if you’re needed at the office and/or you’re working on live mandates. IB is a small world and you’ll want people from your bank to speak good of you when there will be ref calls from other banks.

 

Thank you so much for this, super helpful and very motivating. I will try my very best to leave a good impression. Still can’t wrap my head around this. The actual staffer asked me for coffee (we have an intern staffer, too), so I am quiet interested in what there is left to be said 

 
Most Helpful

Old title - I’m 4 years post banking in a dream role that I didn’t know I wanted when I was a GS intern like yourself.

I had broken into one of the top 2 GS classic groups, period. In fact, it would still be considered one of the top two groups today. I did not get a return offer, and despite coming from a target, I felt so extremely stupid and incapable. I really gave it my all too, but the physical toll of 100+ hour weeks was too much for me to handle. And that ended up being okay.

I took the loss on the chin and re-recruited into another well established group. I had imposter syndrome but turned out to be a fine analyst. Not a super tippy top bucket analyst by any means, but definitely medium to top quartile by the end of my stint. The point is, you can’t see it yet but it will work out. You were not going to be succeed in that group, it wasn’t a fit so not receiving a return is a blessing to find where you truly do belong. Just remember you’d probably be more miserable if you took the return offer even if it was offered to you. You’ll find your way, just keep moving forward and blocking and tackling challenges as they come your way.

 

Thank you for your words and kindness, I really appreciate that. I agree with everything you are saying and I understand. Yet, it will take me some time to recover. This is actually my second BB internship (did JP Morgan first), so chances of me breaking into IB are significantly decreasing lol. Maybe I am simply not built for this, and if that’s the case, I will need to come up with something different. Very happy to hear that you have found your way in life - I hope I will too, one day 

 

Hey man , was in the exact same position as you 

Did 2 BB IBD internships (did not convert) and also realised this industry is not for me. Re recruited for another division at mid tier BB (BofA/ Citi ) with better WLB and I am much happier and content 


Can resonate what you are going through, for some reason I felt IB was for me hence did a second internship in it but now I know 

At least u tried and u won’t have regret in the future because you have experienced this industry and realised it is not for you. 

 

Analyst 2 in IB-M&A

Old title - I’m 4 years post banking in a dream role that I didn’t know I wanted when I was a GS intern like yourself.

I had broken into one of the top 2 GS classic groups, period. In fact, it would still be considered one of the top two groups today. I did not get a return offer, and despite coming from a target, I felt so extremely stupid and incapable. I really gave it my all too, but the physical toll of 100+ hour weeks was too much for me to handle. And that ended up being okay.

I took the loss on the chin and re-recruited into another well established group. I had imposter syndrome but turned out to be a fine analyst. Not a super tippy top bucket analyst by any means, but definitely medium to top quartile by the end of my stint. The point is, you can’t see it yet but it will work out. You were not going to be succeed in that group, it wasn’t a fit so not receiving a return is a blessing to find where you truly do belong. Just remember you’d probably be more miserable if you took the return offer even if it was offered to you. You’ll find your way, just keep moving forward and blocking and tackling challenges as they come your way.

Can I ask why you didn’t receive a return? Was getting a return that competitive, or it wasn’t the right fit for you? Think some color would be helpful for all incoming SAs

 

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