Summer Plans, Need Advice
I'm currently a sophomore at HYP interested in entering the finance industry. I transferred from another top 20 university (non-target) last year for various reasons, and I need some advice pertaining to my summer plans.
As a caucasian male, BB opportunities were hard to come by this year, so I applied to some rotational programs at a few local boutiques in my home town. I'm still waiting to hear back from them though. I also found out today that I received a fellowship from my school's career office to study abroad at the London School of Economics this summer. As someone who has never been able to travel outside of the country, I'm very tempted by this all-expenses-paid offer. I would also have the opportunity to backpack other parts of Europe beforehand with a few friends.
Now here's my dilemma. I have to let my school know whether or not I will accept the grant in less than two weeks, and the sooner I decide, the better (for acquiring housing, scheduling flights, etc.). Some people have said that the study abroad experience is a once-in-a-lifetime thing and that it provides good talking points for SA interviews. Others have said that the internship would definitely trump studying abroad. But then some people have said that because I'm at HYP, it doesn't matter as much, especially since it's not a BB firm. As you can tell, I've gotten a lot of conflicting advice.
I'm currently involved with two of my school's finance clubs, and I'm wondering if that would make up for a lack of work experience before recruiting season. If not, would it be feasible/advisable to try to get some sort of finance internship in London before/after the LSE program? Should I even bother waiting to hear back from the local firms?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Mannnn this is such an easy answer... fuck it go for europe. Your at a target, jobs will come don't worry about it. Enjoy your time in Europe and don't look back, you will regret it later if you don't jump on this opportunity. Best of Luck
^^^Listen to this man.
Just to play devil's advocate...
Do you have any other previous finance experience? It's a tough call - I definitely agree that you don't want to miss out on such a unique and cool experience in college while you have the chance.
That said, I also go to a target, but without my previous finance internships going into junior year, I don't think I would have had a shot at SA spots. I don't think that study abroad will really be a big hook in getting interviews either, compared to having relevant experience. How is your GPA? A finance internship this summer will especially help you out if your GPA isn't above your peers.
If you could do some sort of finance internship at all (even part-time), while also in the UK, that would be ideal of course though I wonder if there are any work authorization legalities you'd need to be aware of.
Ultimately, I think you need to think carefully about how important the LSE experience is to you. Do it if you're passionate about it, but don't take it over a finance internship because you think it'll help you more to break into finance. Just my opinion.
Yeah, this pretty much sums up my worries. I don't have any true finance experience outside of my involvement with the two finance clubs that I mentioned. In a world without the pressure to acquire internships, I would definitely do LSE. So in reference to your last few statements, it would more accurately be a case of me sacrificing LSE to do the local internship.
Thanks for the input so far everyone. My gut is telling me to do LSE at this point.
summer at LSE and school year internship in the fall.
Since you are obviously not at Princeton, go for the LSE program if you are at Harvard. The difference between H and Y in finance is not marginal.
I studied abroad my junior year and everything ended up working out fine. Studying abroad is an amazing experience that you will regret later down the road when you are sitting in a office for 100 hours a week. The ease of travel and sights you can experience are worth every minute of it. Just take some time each week to network and you'll be fine.
A friend I went to Northeastern (undergrad) with did the LSE program.... and got a job w/ GS upon graduation...
Any way you could do an internship in London for a few hours a week? Not sure about work visa issues but could be worth looking into if you're able.
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