Hey guys. So I interned in the BO of a BB on the east coast this past summer, and it really was as depressing as it sounds. My team was awesome, but literally the work I was doing was extremely repetitive and I'm afraid that I'll lose my mind if I go back for a full time position. I'm a non target with a decent GPA. Recently, I interviewed for a consulting position with both a Big 4 and a no-name firm in New York. No-go for the Big 4, just waiting to hear back from the NY office.
Basically, I'm not really sure what I want to do career-wise. The BB looks nice on my resume, but I'd really have to bust my ass with networking, not being in NY, and ensuring that I get placed on a group that I can help improve processes/shine during day-to-day activities. Ultimately I'm really looking for something (BO or not) that's going to give me a wide skill set that's transferrable to other positions rather than pigeonholing myself in one area. So, my question to you guys is, should I start networking now/during the spring looking for a spot with a more reputable consulting firm or just stick with the back office spot and go from there?
Keep looking with the back office job in your back pocket, if you fail to find something else.
Yeah in your position I'd accept the offer to be safe, and then renege if absolutely necessary. I personally wouldn't be comfortable about doing this, but I'd get over it and do it if necessary- it's your career, and you don't want to have to settle for this job if you don't have to, but certainly don't want to be unemployed.
It's NOT too late, network hard and shop your offer. Make sure you're casting a wide net. I wouldn't settle for that BO position simply for the name and convenience.
Also I wouldn't renege if you aspire to work in a BB front office down the line.
I wouldn't toss the BO job away with no other opportunities. I would take to BO job and work you back side off to get to the FO.
Alright thanks for the advice guys. Starting next week I'll start shooting out emails to alumni in consulting and go from there. If I get an offer from the firm in NY, I guess I'll have another dilemma to address but in the meantime reaching out never hurts.
Keep looking. I will never disregard someone from doing BO if you have a interest in working and developing your career in that field. That said, being on this website, most of the time that is not true, so keep pushing for a role you believes would be a great start for your career out of school.
Good Luck....
I was in the same position. For me, I declined the offer and kept looking. I reallllly wanted to accept it because the pay was great and work-life balance was awesome, but in reality, looking down the line it would just not really open any doors. It's a tough choice but nothing in life is easy. Also, as others have mentioned, accepting and then reneging on a BB offer can really screw you down the line. Good luck bud.
Figured I'd chime in here since I'm going through this right now. You should first figure out what is important to you, then let that guide your decision. Its my understanding that it's very tough to change direction once you start your career.
Like @Pienaar21 , I too saw the advantages of plugging away in Ops, with a decent amount of job security, little stress, all while pulling in a modest $60K or so. But as my internship went on, I began to see the lack of transferable skills I was gaining; as well as the separation of FO from everyone else.
In the end, I believe most driven people can succeed no matter where they are, but I wanted to give myself the best possible chance to do so. That's why I'm gunning for a MM / boutique IB position now. I was glad to get the opportunity to work at a BB, but like you OP, I just know that I never want to do that kind of work again FT.
Exactly. Right now is not the time to think about money. I just accepted a consulting offer making considerably less than the ops position would give me (although to be fair, my position is located in a city with cheap standard of living). Use this to drive you, don't get complacent. All you need is one break. All those people that tell you "Well, in this economy a job is a job blah blah". Fuck that. Unless you are doing what yo consider everything you personally can do to get what you want, there's no excuses. Invest in yourself and you'll come out a lot happier.
@Pienaar21 and @kruzon, thanks for sharing your stories. I would go further into my experience but I'm still interning during the school year right now so I don't want to talk too negatively about the position. Maybe sometime over the Christmas break I'll write out a long post about it. Anyways, I'll keep at it. Despite not being too keen on banking hours, it really looks like that or consulting are the best options right out of school to get quality, transferable skills that can be applied elsewhere. @kruzon, best of luck to you man.
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