Which freshman internship would you choose?

I'm currently a 3.5 non-diversity at a target and am choosing between a few different firms to intern at this summer. Looking to recruit for investment banking. 

1. Boutique Restructuring Firm: Will be around ~40 hours a week or more so I'm essentially a full-time employee as well as the only intern there. Assumed unpaid. Lots of deal flow so I'll have full exposure to the valuation, deck creation, and restructuring processes. I'll be required to be on call for all of the week so not much personal time besides maybe weekends. Total company size is around 15-25 people-ish

Curious as to how this compares to an M&A focused boutique if I'm planning to go into IB. Would restructuring be as relevant? Also wondering if it's worth to spend so much time at an internship or if I'm better off spending that tie grinding the guides and networking.

2. Boutique IB Firm: Will be around 15-25 hours a week. Most likely unpaid. The firm focuses mostly on capital markets but also does some M&A advisory. The entire firm is around 3-ish people plus other interns. Will probably be tasked on light valuation work, deck work, sourcing, and due diligence

Would open up a lot more time for me to focus on other stuff such as networking and the guides. And I also think the responsibilities are more relevant but not completely sure. Hoping to network my way past the low gpa hurdle into a good offer sophomore year. 

Which would you choose?

8 Comments
 

If you got offers for both then def ask if there is any comp, just ask politely.

If both are no comp, then do the ones that is less hours.

Once I did an unpaid, 10 hr a week IB internship, my success networking and getting interviews for a full time IB position at BB's went through the roof.

Your a freshman so it's going to be even easier to secure a position from here. Just get the stamp on your resume and start enjoying college and 'networking' with your classmates. Many of them will be big shots one day too, and it's useful to have the close connections. Plus you don't actually learn anything in banking so no point in doing 40 hrs a week if you don't have to lmao. And that's coming from someone who actually likes finance and thoroughly enjoyed my first year of banking

 

Can I dm? I just heard back from another firm (this time with money) and actually have a few others I've been talking with. Would love to get your advice on the whole thing. 

 

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