Unpaid small PE internship in Chicago vs paid financial analyst internship at a local commercial/retail bank (12/hr)

I have to choose between 2 internships for my sophomore summer. I am leaning towards the PE firm because it is a great opportunity to network and start doing relevant work (pitch books, LBOs) but am I an idiot for working for free? Looking to work at at a BB/EB internship my junior year coming from non (semi?) - target

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I would do the PE internship unless someone at the retail bank has serious connections to IB (very unlikely). Being at the PE shop you will see CIMs, models, IC meetings, management presentations, etc. You will be on the same deal as the IB just from the other side. This is what I did, and it was invaluable when interviews came around (I virtually only talked about deals I saw throughout interviews).

As for the money, if you can manage then don't worry about it. If it helps you land an IB internship next summer, the pay from the summer alone (disregarding FT pay, etc.) will offset what you "lose" from working for free this summer. Here is the article I wrote about doing an unpaid internship in ATL/CLT/DC, which I imagine would be similar COL to Chicago (http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/the-economics-of-an-unpaid-intern…).

 

Well given all the monkey shits I guess it was a bad question. I guess having a job for the last four summers and getting paid made it feel strange working without a paycheck every week.

 

Yes, I am from Chicago and plan to live at home with my parents. I had a job for the last for summer making $3-4k which really helps with daily expenses, so giving that up for experience sounds unusual.

 

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