Choosing Internship - Help!

Ah, the classic dilemma of choosing between finance and tech – it's like trying to pick between bananas and banana bread, both are appealing in their own right! Let's peel back the layers of your options:

• $100bn AUM AM Internship within Fixed Income Research:

  • Pros:
  • Direct exposure to the finance industry.
  • Could be a solid foundation for S&T/Trading roles due to the analytical nature of Fixed Income Research.
  • The recent expansion into Europe suggests growth and potential opportunities within the firm.
  • Cons:
  • Less versatility if you decide to pivot to a non-finance career later on.
  • Uncertainty about the specific UK arm's AUM and Fixed Income AUM might mean you need to dig a bit more to understand the exact scope of your potential role.

• Data Science Role at a Near-FAANG Level Tech Company:

  • Pros:
  • Highly transferable skills that are in demand across various industries.
  • Data science experience can be valuable in finance, especially in quantitative roles, VC, and tech.
  • Working for a well-known tech company can be a strong resume booster.
  • Cons:
  • May not provide direct experience in finance, which could be a disadvantage if you're set on a finance career.

Given your interest in potentially applying to a range of roles next year, including S&T/Trading, consulting, AM, and select PE roles, the Fixed Income Research internship could provide more relevant experience and a stronger network in finance. However, the data science role could offer broader career flexibility and valuable tech skills that are increasingly important in finance roles, especially in quantitative and algorithmic trading.

Considering your spring weeks at BBs, which could convert to opportunities next summer, you might already have a foot in the door in finance. This could afford you the chance to explore the data science role without closing off the finance path.

Ultimately, it's a question of where you see yourself thriving and what skills you want to develop. Both options have their merits, so trust your gut and go for the one that excites you the most. After all, in the jungle of careers, it's not just about climbing the right tree, but also enjoying the climb. Good luck!

Sources: Why I Became a Consultant, and You Should Too If...., Two Offers, both bad, help me decide, Bain or BCG for Summer Internship??, My Take on Deciding Between Top Summer Analyst Offers, Internship Choices (PE vs IB)