LevFin Mid/Front office?

Hello, During the job interview at a major bank I thought the missions would be front office with some risk management but I’m afraid it’s mainly LevFin middle office and maybe some front office tasks. I’m really confused because we talked about front office tasks but it seems my manager is going to be a middle officer. It’s my latest internship before graduating from a mid-target uni. Not top target but not unknown. Is there a way to get a full time position in M&A front or S&T front? (I couldn’t get an internship in S&T I just couldn’t pass the screenings.) They told me previous interns joined firms as M&A/PE analysts. What do you think I should do?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice for your situation:

  1. Clarify Your Role:

    • It's crucial to get a clear understanding of your role. If you suspect your position might lean more towards middle office, have a candid conversation with your manager or HR to clarify the responsibilities and expectations.
  2. Networking:

    • Use the remaining time in your internship to network extensively within the bank. Reach out to professionals in the M&A and S&T front office teams. Express your interest and seek informational interviews to understand their roles better and make a positive impression.
  3. Skill Development:

    • Even if your current role is more middle office, focus on developing skills that are transferable to front office positions. This includes financial modeling, valuation techniques, and understanding market trends.
  4. Leverage Your Internship:

    • Highlight any front office tasks you do undertake during your internship. Document your achievements and be prepared to discuss them in future interviews.
  5. Full-Time Recruiting:

    • Based on previous WSO threads, full-time recruiting can be competitive, especially in investment banking and S&T. Start your job search early, and apply broadly. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experiences and skills.
  6. Consider an MBA:

    • If transitioning directly to a front office role proves challenging, consider pursuing an MBA from a top school. This can provide a pathway to pivot into desired roles, as seen in other WSO discussions.
  7. Exit Opportunities:

    • If you find yourself in a middle office role, remember that there are still valuable exit opportunities. Previous interns have successfully moved into M&A/PE analyst roles. Focus on building a strong foundation and leveraging your network.

By taking these steps, you can enhance your chances of securing a full-time position in M&A front office or S&T front office. Good luck!

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/m7-ib-associate-full-time-recruiting?customgpt=1, Q&A: MBB, BB S&T+IB, Top MBA, US/Global, Q&A: I'm a current MBA student in the NYU Stern part-time program, Is S&T still a good career path?, Full-Time RE Private Equity Recruitment

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I'm assuming English is your second language which is no problem, most of us can only speak 1 language - can you clarify what the position is? market risk management, liquidity risk, operational risk, credit risk (assuming it's this one), etc.

if it's the best offer you have then take it

 
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Thanks guys for your answers. Indeed English isn’t my first language but I won’t be working in an English speaking country or speaking English, so I guess that’s fine.
To clarify my questions:

1/Is joining a local bank for a 12 months internship in a LevFin Middle Office (Risk Management, Portfolio management whatever it means?) a good opportunity ?
2/ Tbh I thought it would be a front office position so I’m a little disappointed but I guess I’ll also do some front office related tasks. Is that kind of job still interesting?
3/During the interview I was told the previous interns joined firms in M&A or PE. Do you think I can leverage this position to get a full time position at the end of my internship in a M&A/PE/S&T front office position? Or I’ll be stuck forever in middle office :(
I was hoping to join a firm in a S&T related position but had no previous internships in link with that field so just couldn’t do it. Do you think I still will have opportunities to get a position as a Sales or Trader?
Thanks

 

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