What's the best choice for an internship?

Hi,

just for curiosity what would be the best internship choice: Top 5 BB, Top M&A boutique or local PE shop

Is it true that you don't get "real work" to do if you start in PE/HF comparerd to transfering from a BB?

Thanks!

10 Comments
 

I've had friends who have done internships at PE shops and they all got some level of "real work" to do so I don't think that's necessarily the case. You'll get a fair amount of stupid stuff to do as well, but that's (almost) any internship.

I would recommend the top 5 BB for an internship because it will have the most recognizable name and well-defined job - you can easily go to any boutique or local place after doing that.

 

I would agree with dosk17. Top 5 BB is almost always your best bet. If you want to go into PE eventually though, that might be an interesting place to spend a summer to check out if it's something you'll eventually want to do. Nevertheless, summering at a BB is of course the best way to set yourself up for FT. And I think that this may be your ultimate goal.

 

do you actually get a broader industry exposure and more insight into the deals there than in a bb?

thanks for the responses!

 

if you're going to do corp. fin at a bb, then definitely choose that. consider the m&a shop only if you're talking about evercore, gleacher, lazard, hlhz. PE fund would be a good choice depending on where they're at on certain deals. buy side experience is highly respected - would look even better if you were on a transaction or two that closed.

 
Best Response

There are fewer Associates/VPs at boutiques so you can get more exposure to actual deal-making... or you can get screwed and end up with a not so great experience if your team is not that great. There is more variance to working at a boutique compared to a BB, I've seen people with great experiences and people who had terrible times.

Your chances of having a good experience are much higher at one of the top boutiques listed here, but to be safe I would still recommend going to one of the top 5 BBs for your internship if you have an offer from one of them.

You can't really go wrong with either a top boutique or top 5 BB, but why take the chance if you don't have to?

 

I'm a student from EU, my Uni has got a top rep. my subject(double major) is one of the most competitive here, but I don't know if americans know much about it. Plus most grads do consulting(most M/B/B).

It seams the few ones ending in Finance at my school here is going to local branches or london. The people who where in nyc mostly got the internships with personal connections.

Do you think I've got a chance for an internship in USA BB (NYC, CHI...) against US applicants (from ivys)? Is my "uncommen" background something positive or negative? Shall I even bother to apply for US internship, given the situation of an economic downturn at the moment?

once again thanks a lot!

 

Unless

1) You have legal right to work there

2) Have done your degree or exchange studies in the USA.

3) Have previous relevant experience

it's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, for you to get an internship offer there.

 

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