Quitting Internship for Networking?

Hey guys,

So my current situation is that I'm going into my senior year at a target school in NYC. I'm currently interning at a boutique investment bank but in the middle of no where. I'd really like to make the jump to a BB full time but I realize that I have very little connections and need to seriously step up my networking.

I spoke with the people at my current firm and they told me that I could go back but I would be staffed on very basic work (ie nothing to really put on my resume). I've done one good project for them so far so I wanted to get some opinions on whether or not I should go back to NYC early July to go network despite knowing the fact that I will not be given anything meaningful if I decide to do so. Is it worth it? Thanks for the help

6 Comments
 

Are you saying that the IB you are right now has an office in BFE and in NYC, and you work at the BFE one getting good tasks, and the one in NYC you'll get nothing substantial?

If this is the case, I'd switch to the NYC office, network your ass off for a full time position, and then on your resume, fill it with fluff like everyone else does! haha

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 

The NYC is more of a "satellite" office where people do work out of, not really an actual office with regular employees.

 

Ok, so you'd still be able to keep your job and network. I don't see why you don't want to do this. Anything that you would be learning as an intern you could learn on your own through workshops and self practice.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 
Best Response
"Skinnayyy"

Ok, so you'd still be able to keep your job and network. I don't see why you don't want to do this. Anything that you would be learning as an intern you could learn on your own through workshops and self practice.

Because the experience is exponentially more interesting/valuable at the home office. I would stay, OP. For the following reasons:

-Your tasks will be extremely mundane, why would you want to waste time on doing something you won't even be able to talk about? The more experience the better

-What exactly does 'quitting to network' entail? You're still [theoretically] working 9-5 at least, does this mean having the ability to grab coffee with people because you're in NYC? If so, I think that's kind of silly. We live in the 21st century, everyone has a telephone that you can call. Also, you go to school in NYC--so you could easily "network" in the beginning of the year right before recruiting.

Just my two cents.

 

I've read a few of your posts and it looks like your main problem may be with how you're presenting yourself. My guess is your "I's" are too close together; i.e. "I go to a target school." "I have a 4,0 GPA." I want bigger projects." etc. This is one of the most common problems for networking and interviewing. It actually has stymied many a top candidate from truly being recognized, especially in the circles you're aiming for.

Keep in mind, networking is only one letter away from NOT working so I encourage you to learn how to present yourself in a more compelling way. The good news is you have time to make the switch before the next recruiting rush. So best of luck!

 

Rem dicta rem odit magni blanditiis. Error rem consequatur enim atque nostrum nam sit. Mollitia et expedita at.

Vel assumenda sequi fuga. Incidunt cupiditate voluptate facilis unde a aspernatur. Quo debitis nostrum hic sequi dolorem nihil. Saepe repellendus dolores et ut qui ut.

Et illo ipsa quidem enim. Cumque suscipit minima quo harum vel alias ab. Tenetur architecto id consequatur sunt.

Sapiente qui officia quia id odio labore quis. Quia similique quasi est laboriosam earum a aliquid. Et est repellat mollitia occaecati laboriosam dolor dolorum. Cum aut cupiditate itaque id omnis voluptates.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.

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...”