When to lateral (Associate)

I think that analyst input could be very useful too, but obviously a little different given the 2 and out nature. I recently signed a summer associate offer with a bank that I am really not sure about, it was later in the cycle I did what I had to. They're a solid shop from a league table perspective. 

I have a pretty strong feeling that this is not the place I want to work long term. I wanted to know the likelihood of leaving after summer (for FT) vs one year in. Is it considerably easier to lateral once you have a year under your belt? Has anyone here successfully jumped ship at the end of summer? Any advice would be appreciated.

15 Comments
 

SnappleApple

Can probably do both.

Lots of MBAs don't get offers (offer rate much lower) so possible that you can get in after the summer.

Or you can lateral once you hit the desk -- nobody wants to do this job anymore so there should be opportunities..

(ignore posted in error)

 

I don't think there is a time limit.

More opportunistic as other banks have needs -- of course you need to be there long enough that you actually have some knowledge and the lateral bank wants you. But your group will probably be mad that you're going to a competitor so i dont think there is any time limit (unless you might have to give up your bonus or something).

 

I’d ideally like to make a switch at the end of summer and lock up something else FT. I think I’m going to start having chats with friends/network in early July. Associate recruiting seemed kind of light this year compared to years past, anecdotally I guess. I’m assuming that jumping from X internship to Y for FT will be purely a networking function right? Generally informal? 

 

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