Advice about next moves

Guys I just wanted to ask somebody and get some opinions ( the more honest the better)...

I am a final year master finance student at semi-target (did bachelor in home country where IB is non-existent).I have internship experience in operational/int.control/IT risk in big 4,military and volunteering experience and some additional extracurriculars but no finance or IB internship experience. I tried to apply for IB internships in EMEA countries(I currently study/live in one of them), but I was limited by some language requirements and penultimate year requirements(couldn’t complete internships last summer since I was still in service). Eventually I applied to over 50 IB M&A/Capital Markets/ ER etc internships, I think I got assessments from 20 of them, in about 10 of them I did great (according to the automated report) but I had a single unsuccessful interview at a MM bank with no success and all the other companies interested in interviews so far are f500 for CF roles or Big 4 firms, with banks ghosting me for 1-2 months ( but only a couple rejected me outright).
My point is since I am in my final year should I:
a) give up and focus to get a job in transaction M&A at big 4/valuation advisory firms and try move to IB as a lateral 2-3 years later?
b) keep trying for internships (for instance off-cycle, is this still possible even after graduation?)
c) apply for full time roles if I see any openings?

 

Eum dolorem ullam et. Vero aut quo impedit et nulla fugit. Officia dolore possimus perspiciatis pariatur.

Iusto voluptatum perspiciatis assumenda iure labore voluptas. Ea eius explicabo aut. At reprehenderit eveniet quasi veniam soluta optio dolor.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”