Deciding Between 2 Offers (Advice Needed)
Hey guys, I’m currently deciding between a couple of summer offers, and I’d really appreciate any advice/input that you may have. I’m currently a junior at a semi target/target with a 3.4 GPA. Last year, I had a great internship at a VC firm, but this year I’ve struggled to attain any of the most coveted BB IBD/S&T/buy side ER type roles. The first offer is at a BB in PWM, while the other is at a smaller (but growing fast) global information services firm. The information services firm basically works with top IBs, PE shops, consultancies, etc by connecting them to industry professionals so that they can make better decisions faster. I guess it’s similar to an expert network, but this firm doesn’t limit themselves to a finite network – they’ll go after anyone. Keep in mind that I would ultimately like to break into the buy side. Here are some pros/cons that I’m weighing:
BB PWM
Pros:
-Brand name with a strong reputation (might look good on resume even though its PWM)
-Good pay (not as important in long run obv, but over 2x what I’d get at the other)
-Would not have to relocate (Would be really nice. Wouldn’t have to search for another place in another city, and would be able to stay with friends/gf over the summer)
-More directly within finance industry, even if work isn’t great
Cons:
-It’s PWM. Probably would look weird that I went from interning at a VC firm to PWM my junior year?
-Work would suck. A lot of admin/bitch work, and no analysis or portfolio work
-Annoying commute (2 hours each day), although I’d be able to stay in my home city
-Probably harder to sell (due to nature of the work) to FT recruiters next year
IS firm
Pros:
-I’d be doing actual work that would be more interesting. Essentially I’d be researching the client/their problem and then identifying consultation candidates through more research and then approaching/converting those candidates.
-Culture/work environment. Seems like it would be a fun place to work. Has more of a start-up/entrepreneurial feel, and most of the employees are young.
-Even though it’s not necessarily “finance,” I’d probably be able to sell this experience better?
-Networking opportunities? While I won’t be talking to any of the top dogs, I’ll hopefully be talking with finance professionals, which could open doors down the road?
-Different/outside the box
Cons:
-Requires relocation (This would really suck, and might decrease my overall happiness in the short term, but I guess it would also be cool to live in a new city)
-Much less pay
-Not directly “finance”
-Less stability
Does anyone have any advice? Which one would put me in a better position to break into either the sell or the buy side (ultimately I’d like to be on the buy side) upon graduation? I also have two final round interviews this week (one at an investment management firm in FI and the other at an IC firm. I’d accept both offers over these two). Thanks for reading; any input would be greatly appreciated.
Firstly, not a bad spot to be in. I'm going with PWM if I'm you. Yeah, PWM isn't the best, but at least you can get the name on your resumé and have a lot of opportunities for networking within that bank for next year (could be huge, depending on how good a networker you are). Plus it doesn't require that much creativity to spin why you want to be in IBD/S&T instead of PWM in the future. Either way, I would look to position yourself for sell-side roles as the buy-side is hard to break into at this stage.
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