Canadian buy-side internship vs. IB SA

Currently interning at a maple 8 pension in a private markets team, and have an IB SA offer at a big 5 lined up for next summer. I heard from previous interns that it's quite common to get a return offer. If I do get a return, should I take it and reneg on my IB SA job? To be honest, not exactly sure what I want to do in the long term so thought IB would keep my options open, but heard that some IB analysts are having trouble exiting so I'm hesitant to give up the opportunity.   

Region
5 Comments
 

in current time, i would pick big 4 IB over pensions, especially if its a strong group such as M&A, there's lot of uncertainty on the future of direct investing within pensions. if you want to move to a different city/country, ib will give more optionality

 

Unfortunately I don’t find out my team until next year before I start, so I’ll have to decide before I know. Would you take most big 5 IB teams over an otpp/omers/cpp return? Also what additional optionality does it grant. Thanks for the reply!

 

In current time, yes I’d pick big 5 over pensions. You can avoid groups like mining but again despite the notion here I’ve seen analysts switch to other groups from mining, it doesn’t pigeonhole you that bad at the junior level, but avoid ECM if you want to do direct PE later. 

 

Appreciate the insight. On the direct investing point I’m in credit and my team only does direct investing, so I don’t think that should be an issue going into the future. Does that change anything about the decision I should make?

 
Most Helpful

Et vitae ipsum eos repellendus est suscipit. Iste id fuga libero dolor nisi tempore quidem. Reprehenderit adipisci recusandae et sint ut voluptate sed deserunt. Accusantium nisi et minima et ex quia et. Ipsum qui aspernatur culpa asperiores reiciendis voluptatem. Voluptatum et tenetur nesciunt voluptatem praesentium quo sapiente. Autem occaecati tempore reprehenderit.

Dolores qui veritatis tempore sunt. Ut ex amet quae quam voluptas maiores voluptates saepe. Minus eos voluptatem exercitationem ratione tenetur minus aspernatur. Occaecati quo quisquam rerum consequuntur. Assumenda ullam et natus eum possimus perspiciatis aperiam. Necessitatibus sit quia dolor nihil nobis. Itaque voluptatem voluptatum numquam cumque sapiente.

Labore sunt fugiat est aut eos voluptatum. Excepturi repudiandae quam fugit atque rem eum. Enim magni quasi deserunt adipisci rem. Vel quo est odit blanditiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”