Deciding between GS Securities Division vs. MM IBD (Full-time offers)

I'm currently in my last year of university and have two full-time offers: GS Securities Division (S&T) & MM IBD

GS Securities Divison I started recruiting relatively late for internships my junior year at a non-target school and with enough networking landed a Summer Analyst gig at GS Operations last summer. Since then, my team has been integrated into the Securities Division, making it more cross-functional. The work will still not be the most exciting, mostly involving client service and project management as opposed to advisory - but being in GS Sec Div can possibly allow me to move internally after a year to an FO team withing Sec Div (S&T) or possibly to IBD (I've seen multiple analysts move internally with enough preparation and networking, although its not very common). The offer is at a large regional office, not an optimal location, but has the benefit of a low cost of living although the pay is not great.

MM IBD I also have an offer from a privately held middle market investment bank with about 1500 employees and 500 mm in revenue, but with relatively little name recognition/prestige/Corp Dev exit opps. Its an established firm located in California with strong MM FIG and Consumer deal flow and offices around the country, but since they're primarily based out of the west coast as opposed to NYC, they're not as well known. However, doing a year at the firm would allow me to lateral to an Elite MM or EB (BB if I'm lucky) after a year with enough networking. Past analysts have lateraled to HL, PWP, Rothschild, etc. The pay is slightly under that of the average on the street but still not bad. Just a side note, the overall lifestyle would be much better at this firm as I would be able to live right on the beach in SoCal.

Either way, I'd have to work a year before trying to lateral to a more optimal division/firm. MM IBD has about a 30k higher pay, but after accounting for the low cost of living in the GS regional office, my savings will probably somewhat similar. My career goal is to work IBD BB or EB for a couple of years, or possibly even S&T (If I'm able to lateral to a solid desk), obtain solid deal exposure, and eventually move to a Strategic Finance/Corp Dev role in Silicon Valley.

Would greatly appreciate any career advice! Thank you

2 Comments
 

Excepturi qui qui blanditiis quibusdam exercitationem. Occaecati cum autem et nesciunt voluptates dolorem sit et. Earum non et et occaecati ut amet possimus. Maiores accusantium odio aut aut cupiditate. Excepturi velit maiores sequi ipsa ea non perspiciatis.

Maiores laboriosam quis accusantium sit qui ratione. Voluptas quam commodi ut corrupti voluptas iste qui. Minima velit aut deserunt autem veritatis. Est quos et impedit. Quia earum nulla velit quas qui nobis. Error accusamus quo nihil.

Ullam quo autem excepturi cupiditate sed. Dolor quo minima autem reprehenderit numquam non facere commodi. Excepturi et deserunt non quasi eos impedit fuga magnam. Error iure voluptatem sapiente dolorum assumenda voluptate. Maxime quia voluptas impedit delectus ut.

Ut velit molestiae quis sequi quis consequatur. Fugit sunt necessitatibus explicabo modi. Corporis blanditiis perferendis libero dolorem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
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...”