Advice for Non-target Junior

So I've applied to 15+ MM IB firms, and heard back from one. I'm interning at a MM/Boutique during this semester, 3.8 GPA, yet can't seem to get any responses.

My goal is to work in BB / MM M&A after graduation, but if I can't get a decent internship this summer, the chances of that decrease significantly. Would a boutique summer internship even be worth my time?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

8 Comments
 

On the contrary, I think if you are just dropping resumes then you need to be sending 10x as many applications.

Array
 

I appreciate the replies. For every firm I applied to I actually searched for alumni on Linkedin but I only found one alumni total. I emailed him at the beginning of February but never received a response. Is it too soon to shoot a follow-up? If not, what should I say in follow-up? (I know there are other threads that cover this, just wondering if you would have any specific advice)

Also, would working at a small boutique this summer help me get a BB / Top-MM/Boutique FT position?

 
Best Response

Doubtful. Going from small boutique to BB is very difficult, if not impossible right now (tight market, most hire their SAs back, leaving fewer spots for new entrants).

Just go small boutique to larger boutique (I'm not talking Evercore, but an office with say 20-30 guys or more instead of 5-10). Deal with it for a couple of years and then head to a top grad school and try and switch via summer associate.

Why not go on LinkedIn or your alumni website and find where there are alumni from your school? Then reach out and target those IBs?

There is nothing wrong with MM or boutiques for some. Better hours, less pitching at times (depending on your group).

 

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