Risk vs FP&A Internship

Based on the WSO threads and discussions, here's a breakdown to help you decide between the Risk internship at Lloyds and the Financial Analyst role at Amazon London, especially with your goal of breaking into Investment Banking (IB) and considering future career flexibility:

1. Breaking into Investment Banking:

   • Risk Internship at Lloyds: This role at a top commercial bank will expose you to the financial services industry, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance, which are relevant to IB. However, it might not directly align with the transaction-focused experience that IB roles typically demand.
   • Financial Analyst at Amazon: This role involves financial modeling, analysis, and possibly exposure to strategic financial decisions, which are highly transferable skills in IB. The brand name of Amazon also adds significant weight to your CV and can be appealing to IB recruiters looking for candidates with strong analytical and financial acumen.

2. Future Career Options and Transferable Skills:

   • Risk Internship at Lloyds: Skills gained here include risk management, understanding of financial regulations, and insight into banking operations. These are valuable in various finance roles, including compliance, risk management, and roles in other financial institutions.
   • Financial Analyst at Amazon: You will likely gain a broader set of skills including advanced financial modeling, data analysis, and strategic decision-making. These skills are not only applicable in IB but also in roles across corporate finance, strategic planning, and potentially roles in tech firms and startups.

Conclusion: If your primary goal is to break into IB next summer, the Financial Analyst role at Amazon might provide you with more directly applicable skills and a stronger narrative for IB interviews. It also offers a broader set of transferable skills that could open doors in various other high-profile finance and strategic roles, should you decide to pivot away from IB.

Always consider your personal interest in the industries these companies represent, as passion and engagement with your work can significantly influence your performance and career progression.

Sources: Not sure if Investment Banking is for me anymore, Best internship for MBB, SpaceX or Amazon?, Does a risk management internship at a Big 4 (freshman year) fit into pursuing an asset management career?, Reneging sophomore internship? Already signed SA 2022, What offers would you take over a BB S&T?