Intern: Small Cap PE Fund or Tier 2/3 IB?

Hey guys,

I've been lurking for quite a while and I'd like to ask for your advice regarding two offers I have for my internship. I am an undergrad at a European target and I finally received my two offers for off-cycle spring internships (3m). Both companies are offering me three month internships in the EMEA region (not London).

The first offer is by a small-cap PE fund (~400-600M€ AUM) that focusses on industrial SME. It is relatively small (~ 15 Analysts/Associates and ~15 portfolio companies). The second company is a Tier 2/3 IB (think HSBC, BNP Paribas, SocGen) that is offering me an internship within their M&A team. None of these internships includes an extensive or dedicated training period.

I am kind of torn between these offers and I'm not quite sure which option is the right one for me. I don't have any big names on my CV rn, so I'd like to know how important that is to secure an internship in IB in a Tier 1 BB, which is my goal in the middle-term. The problem is that I'm not quite sure where I ultimately want to end up in the long-term.

I'm currently applying for IB summer internships as well, would any of these two options increase my chances to get an interview for said internship?

I'm really looking forward to reading your answers.

6,193 WSO Academy Investment Banking Session Reviews: 4.82/5

ECPI University

Class of '20 Oct 2026 Cohort

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“My October 29 session with Arnau was one of the most practical mentoring conversations I've had at Wall Street Oasis. He helped me turn my mixed background in corporate finance, treasury, reporting, and hotel project management into a clear plan for investment banking. His strategy advice was direct: go after IB first, with PE second, and apply broadly. He explained the reasoning, which made the plan easy to follow. His resume feedback was detailed and immediately useful. He showed me how to describe my Lucky Strike work in transaction-focused language, highlight how selective my VCU investment portfolio was, spell out acronyms, and keep the formatting consistent. I've already made most of these changes. He also encouraged me to build a target-firm tracker, start warm outreach, update my LinkedIn, and prepare honest, confident answers about my role being eliminated in a restructuring. Arnau was knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in my success. I left with a concrete action plan and more confidence, and I'd strongly recommend him to any WSO student.”

SDA Bocconi School of Management

Class of '25 Oct 2026 Cohort

4.78/5

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“My mentoring session with Andre was extremely valuable and gave me the clarity and direction I needed at an important stage of my application journey. He was kind, approachable, and generous with his time, creating an atmosphere in which I felt comfortable sharing my experiences, asking questions, and discussing my doubts openly. One of the most helpful aspects of our conversation was his guidance on how to organize and communicate my personal story. Andre helped me understand how to connect different experiences into a coherent narrative, identify the elements that matter most, and explain their significance more clearly. His perspective was fundamental in helping me see how to present my background with greater confidence, purpose, and authenticity. I particularly appreciated his advice on what to avoid. He helped me recognize that including every detail does not necessarily make a story stronger, and that being selective can make a message much more effective. Our discussion gave me a clearer understanding of how to avoid unnecessary repetition, keep my narrative focused, and ensure that each part contributes something meaningful to the overall application. Andre also provided valuable guidance on how to organize the application process itself. He helped me think more clearly about priorities, how to approach the different components, and how to make the work feel more manageable. Having a clearer structure has made a difference to my mindset: instead of seeing the applications as one overwhelming task, I now feel better equipped to approach them through specific, achievable steps. Another important takeaway was his advice on how to use the coming days effectively. Our conversation helped me understand where to focus my energy, which tasks deserve immediate attention, and how to establish a realistic plan. I left the session with a stronger sense of direction and a better understanding of how to balance thoughtful preparation with consistent progress. What made the experience positive was the combination of practical guidance and encouragement. Andre offered suggestions in a considerate and constructive way, helping me reflect on my choices while also making me feel supported. His kindness made it easier to engage honestly with the process and to see areas for improvement as opportunities to strengthen my applications. Overall, this session was fundamental in helping me understand both what I want to communicate and how to move forward. I now have a clearer approach to telling my story, organizing my applications, avoiding common mistakes, and planning the next few days with intention. I am very grateful for Andre’s support and for the care he brought to our conversation. His advice gave me useful tools, renewed confidence, and a more focused approach to the work ahead. I would highly recommend a session with him to anyone seeking thoughtful guidance, practical direction, and a supportive space to develop their application narrative. The session helped me turn uncertainty into a clearer plan, and I feel much more prepared to make the most of the time ahead and present my experiences in a meaningful and convincing way.”

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Intern: Small Cap PE Fund or Tier 2/3 IB?

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