Ivy Recruiting in Chicago

Hey guys, I have a quick question. I go to a "lower level" ivy school (not HYPW) and I was just wondering if you guys have any insight on what the experience of going to school out east and getting an ib SA and FT position in Chicago is like. It seems like most recruiting out here would be for the NY offices, but I'm an underclassman and haven't really dealt with on campus recruiting yet. Any insight would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

10 Comments
 

I've seen it done - I think the biggest thing for you is networking, especially with alums. Being at an Ivy and doing well is credential enough to land you an interview, might just have to deal with HR about wanting Chicago over NYC, although, IMO, that might not be the best career move.

Interning in Chicago to see if you like it won't keep you out of contention for NYC jobs for FT though.

Good luck

 

Aside from New York being a nicer city and the central hub of Finance (so I guess at higher levels people get paid more), what are the disadvantages of banking in Chicago? It seems like they have marginally nicer hours and a lower cost of living.

I realize that it's easy to transfer to Chicago from NY but not vice versa,.

 

A lot of it is about the set up of the shops and the subsequent opportunities. Since the downturn, the BB Chicago shops became very small and have found themselves in a precarious place when it comes to analyst/associate work.

I know GS Chicago still does it's own work and sometimes needs to staff people from NY onto a team/some NY Partners staff Chicago people for a lot of teams. But some of the other banks, you basically work on getting a deal, then NY executes. That is probably super frustrating, but, MDs get paid to source deals.

Also, your exit opportunities might be limited in a lot of ways - to midwest companies or PE shops. A lot of times, kids from non-targets that are there stick around for a long time at these banks.

 

That's interesting about the BB shops in Chicago, but do you have any opinions on the more prestigious boutiques in Chicago? I think I would prefer to work at a boutique.

 

That's interesting about the BB shops in Chicago, but do you have any opinions on the more prestigious boutiques in Chicago? I think I would prefer to work at a boutique.

 
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