Advice needed, can’t tell if I’m close to IB or miles away

My interest in IB started really late, so I missed out on on-cycle recruiting. I networked like crazy and ended up landing an internship at a AM shop and I’m glad I’ll be getting some high finance experience. I’m told there’s plans to exit one of the portcos so that could be some good experience, and I’ll get exposure to modelling as well. The bad part is they don’t do FT offers. I’m looking for advice on how to turn this into a banking role post grad, or maybe a role at PE at a pension fund… any advice?

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It's not clear where you are academically, but I'd suggest:
 

1) Apply broadly and for everything. The cost of doing so is relatively low so you should still try, and you might pick up some good interview experience. By broadly I'm including other smaller PEs and smaller or boutique-y IBs. Have a backup option too like a Big 4 role if you can which might help you pivot back to IB / PE longer term - don't graduate without anything if you can help it

2) Make a good impression at your current shop and, towards the end of your internship, ask some of your seniors whether, appreciating that they don't themselves do FT offers, they'd be willing to provide references or even contact some of their industry contacts to help explore a role for you. Clearly this is a bit of a wild card, but if you don't ask, you don't get (emphasising here to do so politely, near the end of your internship, and after having made a really good impression).

Apologies if either of the above sound obvious, but I don't think there's a silver bullet - having something finance-related already is a great start.

 

Academically I’m at a non-target but on the bright side I’ve got a 4.0. Will boutiques hire new grads without banking internships?

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

I actually think you're in a solid position here. You mentioned you're graduating off-cycle due to a previous internship - why not do another one? Take on an off-cycle capital markets internship (or the closest to one that you find). This way, you build your resume, potentially with a place you may be able to start at full time, and allow yourself to graduate at a normal time.

 

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