Internship with Boutique

Recently, I was looking up gigs on Craigslist.

I found one for an internship with an investment banking firm.

I contacted the firm through email; the next day I received a reply:

"Thank you very much for your letter. I am very impressed by your background and determination. I looked at your background carefully. This is really a perfect program for you. Investment banking is a highly specialized field where you need preparation to succeed. Unless you come from an Ivy League School with top grades, it is very hard to learn what you need to know and to break in to the industry. A first internship and training in corporate finance are the crucial steps to entering the industry. Our 4 to 8 week program offers all the training and experience you need to become successful and obtain good jobs in large firms, We provide extensive personal mentorship and recommendations from a senior banker. We invest a tremendous amount in each trainee. You will learn stock market theory and practice, comparable company analysis, DCF, NPV, LBO analysis, IPO's and M & A. Many of our interns and trainees have gone to successful careers are large firms. You will see some of them in the reference section of my profile. We currently have 3 interns, one of whom got a part-time job with another firm last week.

I have attached some memos which describe our program. I have also attached an anonymous resume from a banker so you can see that what I am teaching is what you need to know and can be applied at any firm. Please review them very carefully as this opportunity can change your life. Please tell me if you think it it right for you. I truly hope you will join us."

You don't have to read through the entire thing. just the last paragraph. After looking through the "memos," I find out that the program costs $3000.

Anyway, after a few e-mails he brought it down to 1k per month for up to two months.

So, what do you think? Is it worth paying for a "hands-on" internship?

(I'm don't intend to. Just wondering if it is, for someone who probably will not land one any time soon - until after I get into business school, that is.)

15 Comments
 

Lol, I know it's a "scam." That's why I didn't go through with it, just wanted to string him along - see if he would drop the price.

Just wondering if paying to learn is at all worth it to someone who wouldn't be able to get a gig purely on qualifications.

 

I have to say, though, that I'm a bit skeptical about it being a 100% scam.

For the only reason that the president is currently an adjunct professor at a pretty decent University. And on their page, he is recognized for the same things he had mentioned in the memos.

 
TechBankingYou should post the name of the firm here to prevent others that are more naive than you from actually pursuing this "opportunity." I understand offering to serve as an unpaid intern to get a name on your resume and build skills, but actually paying is another story completely.

^If I had a banana I'd give it to you bro . solid response.

my opinion: Your paying a firm to work there.....what logic is there behind that....off the top you found this on craigslist not to break your balls but wtf why would you ever look there? .....being an intern at a boutique is usually a good way to get your foot in the door and some interviews at bigger shops so if you could land a legit take it.

its one way or the other: hate me or admire.
 

So when I met with Jack Bloom, he went on and on about all of the success stories and great people that went through his program. As soon as the money was mentioned and I told him that I wouldn't be able to start the program until about a month from now when I may have the money, he got up, asked me to never come back and walked off. Told me that it's not cool to lead people on like this. Even though from craigslist posting I didn't see anything about the money. Totally agree with

 

Called him back. He answered, and said he was in a meeting and would call me back.

This guy is good.

Will see what happens next...

 
Best Response

HAHA.

So, he calls me back. The conversation lasts about 2 minutes. Basically, he tells me, "I knew that, because you got Baruch, the money situation must be tough. But I really think this could help your career effort."

I basically got shitted on by a guy who wants money from me. Is this some new sales strategy?

http://www.pace.edu/lubin/departments-and-research-centers/entrepreneur…

Press ctrl+F and type in Jack Bloom

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bus/2664495865.html

 

Nemo autem iste nihil atque. Aspernatur facilis natus voluptatum voluptatibus atque aut. Eligendi natus aut fugiat. Enim beatae ullam quae ut maxime officiis ipsam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”