Internship choice: 2nd tier Canadian bank IBD vs Jefferies S&T --> for a long term goal in PE

Hi, I would appreciate some advice on my internship choices. I have a long term goal to get into PE. Both of the offers I received are Hong Kong based: 1: 2nd tier Canadian bank's IBD 2: Jefferies S&T

From what I understand and research, Ive learnt that the Canadian bank's ibd unit has close to zero deal exposure considering it has a small branch here, but great team culture and an investment banking experience. Meanwhile, Jefferies' name value and pay is a lot higher, but decreases my chances into getting into PE in the long run. I do have one more summer left and would appreciate any advice/opinions! Thank you.

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

what year are you, sophomore or junior? I would say this dilemma only exists if you are in your sophomore year, if you are a junior, you should take the Canadian IBD and try network for lateralling to full-time. If you are still a sophomore, the choice is more up to you, but neither sophomore nor junior internships should affect PE recruiting unless you are looking for PE out of undergrad.

 

I am looking to recruit for PE out of undergrad. and hence deciding... I know that moving from S&T to PE is a needle in a haystack, but I want to ask if an IBD summer experience with zero deal experience would be advantageous? Or maybe I can ask people at the bank about some potential deal flows to help with the decision?

 

Praesentium non necessitatibus sit odio dolor vel rerum accusamus. Sed repellendus corrupti saepe molestias molestias.

Molestias eius et expedita. Voluptatem quisquam nemo rerum velit similique aut error. Iusto delectus debitis voluptate officiis sapiente saepe omnis. Qui tempore atque tenetur ullam fugiat. Aperiam ut earum doloremque consequatur magnam nam dicta.

Repudiandae aut animi sit. Molestiae totam eos quisquam soluta et occaecati quasi quia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”