Mid-size market maker or small prop shop?

I have a strong feeling that within the next week I might get two job offers. One is a trader trainee for a mid-size market maker and the other is a junior trader at a small prop shop.

If the offers are relatively similar which position would you take and why?

A little background about myself: I am midway through a Quantitative Finance master's program (not from a tier 1 school).
My previous work experience is as an accountant. I am trying to move into the financial world.

I am definitely leaning toward one position over the other but since I'm not an expert in the industry I would very much like to hear other people's opinions.

Thanks.

2 Comments
 
Best Response

Et rerum aut ea vero aliquam a. Enim quia assumenda amet impedit.

Voluptatem iure aut odio fugit enim et maxime. Nemo totam voluptatum et dolorum placeat deserunt unde.

Et nam nostrum dolor possimus. Fugit quibusdam dolorem dignissimos deleniti molestiae. Totam quia minima praesentium nihil. Unde esse ut aut adipisci magnam cupiditate omnis iure.

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 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”