Sophomore Navigating the Process

I'm a sophomore and recently received an offer with Barclays. I have other opportunities in the pipeline, but they are well after my acceptance deadline.

I have an interview with Citi within my decision period and could very well end up with an offer there, too. However, I really like Barclays and a lot of people have gone out of their way to become close to me/offer any assistance. I was so excited to receive an offer that I almost signed right away but I was advised by people close to me not to.

The problem is that I'm not feeling a ton of motivation to go above and beyond in my next interview (with Citi). As a sophomore, I couldn't be happier to receive any type of interview/offer. I know Barclays has a bad rep right now and I was just wondering if it would be more wise for me to go somewhere else for the summer (if I did receive an offer with Citi).

Next summer I would really like to try and pursue GS and MS. I've researched some great groups at Barclays that will give me experience/exposure to deals. I was just wondering what my best move would be considering my end goals?

Non-target here.

7 Comments
 
Best Response

Do you have previous IB experience? I am currently a sophomore from a non-target like you. I have two previous internships in IB. Both boutique firms.

I had my superday with Houlihan Lokey (Restructuring) last week and I didn't get it. However, I have other opportunities with other elite boutiques and middle markets. The mistake I made was not reaching out at the appropriate time. Honestly, I would take the BB offer. It becomes riskier the longer you wait. Unless if you know for sure you can get the other opportunities.

 

Citi is a rotational program, you wouldn't spend your entire time in IBD, you will spend roughly three weeks. You would get more tangible experience at a full IBD internship at Barcays. Getting any BB IBD experience as a sophomore is a home run, don't listen to what any pimple faced 20 year old virgin might say about Barclays on here. The people you read here talking shit on a place like Barclays will probably never even get an opportunity to work there.

Barclays would be a great place to work for anyone full time, and the chance you get to intern in IBD there as a sophomore is a steal that aforementioned pimple faced 20 year old virgins would probably sell their world of warcraft account for.

If you really wanted to try and break into a different BB your junior year, having some experience at a place like Barclays would be a great place to start.

Looks like the issue has been recently covered about someone who was in a similar position as you too:

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/sophomore-ibd-position-in-nyc-doe…

 

LOL m8, I don't think you can go wrong with either of those as a sophomore. Receiving anything puts you ahead of the vast majority of those in your class.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I received both offers now. Barclays is offering $85k and a $2.5k relocation stipend as an IB analyst within one group. Citi is offering $75k and a rotational program through S&T/IB/CMO which would mean a new division every two weeks (which means not a whole lot of trust, responsibility, or experience). I'm fixed on IB, so I'm thinking the obvious choice is Barclays. My goal is to intern with Morgan Stanley next summer (this is my favorite bank because of culture).

Really upset Morgan Stanley didn't do their process earlier.

 

From a recruiting perspective, do you think either Citi or Barclays would give me an advantage as a sophomore for recruiting for next year given the situation I described in the above post (compensation differences, experience differences)?

 

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