Should I take apple / google / microsoft offer ? Or keep recruiting for IB?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, this decision depends on your long-term career goals and risk tolerance. If you're passionate about investment banking (IB) and see it as your ultimate career path, continuing to recruit for IB might be worth the effort. IB offers a steep learning curve, strong exit opportunities (e.g., private equity, hedge funds, corporate development), and significant earning potential. However, it comes with long hours and intense pressure.

On the other hand, an offer from a top-tier company like Apple, Google, or Microsoft in corporate finance (FRP internship) is prestigious and provides a stable career path with excellent work-life balance, strong brand recognition, and opportunities to grow within the tech industry. While it may not have the same exit opportunities as IB, it’s still a highly respected role.

If you’re unsure about securing an IB offer or if you value stability and work-life balance more, accepting the FRP internship could be a smart move. However, if you’re determined to break into IB and willing to take the risk, you could continue recruiting while keeping the tech offer as a backup (if the timeline allows).

Ultimately, weigh your priorities: stability vs. risk, work-life balance vs. intense hours, and tech vs. finance career paths. Both are excellent options, but the choice depends on what aligns best with your goals.

Sources: No IB offers for the summer...what now?, Navigating Recruiting at Target Schools, Take which offer: Corporate Finance at Big Tech (Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook), Valuation at non big-4, or boutique IB?, Early IB Offer with exploding deadline - months before normal recruiting, Should I accept this offer for 2021 SA?