Reject Return Offer from Top BB in London?
Hey everyone,
I'm graduating this year with a Bachelor's and currently have a FT offer to join a top BB (GS, MS, JPM) in London. At the same time, I have the chance to do an internship at a MF during a potential gap year.
Obviously, MF is a great opportunity, but I'm torn. Would it be smart to reject a FT BB offer in this market just to take the MF internship?
I spoke with a senior at the fund who actually recommended doing the BB analyst stint first before joining a MF – yet he told me since I am still pretty young there is no harm in doing a gap year.
If I take the MF internship, I’d use the gap year to also apply to other top PEs, RX shops, or consulting internships. My main concern is: how hard is it to get back into a top BB after a gap year if things don’t work out?
Curious to hear what others would do in this situation – anyone been through something similar?
Appreciate any advice.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key considerations for your situation:
Market Conditions and Risk Assessment: Rejecting a full-time offer from a top BB (GS, MS, JPM) in London is a significant risk, especially in a volatile market. Full-time BB roles provide stability, a strong brand name, and a structured career path. If the MF internship doesn’t lead to a full-time offer or other opportunities, re-entering the BB pipeline could be challenging, as banks may question why you left a secured role.
MF Internship Value: While a mega-fund (MF) internship is prestigious and could open doors to top-tier private equity roles, it’s not guaranteed to lead to a full-time offer. Additionally, the senior at the fund recommending a BB stint first suggests that the traditional IB-to-PE route is still highly valued and provides a solid foundation for long-term success in private equity.
Re-entering BB After a Gap Year: According to WSO threads, re-entering a top BB after a gap year can be difficult. Banks may view the gap as a red flag unless you have a compelling story and strong results from your MF internship or other roles during the gap year. Networking and maintaining relationships with your BB contacts would be crucial if you decide to reapply.
Alternative Opportunities During the Gap Year: If you take the MF internship, using the gap year to explore other top PEs, RX shops, or consulting internships could diversify your experience. However, this approach requires careful planning and execution to ensure you don’t end up with a fragmented resume.
Long-Term Goals: If your ultimate goal is to work in private equity, the BB analyst stint provides a tried-and-true path. It offers deal experience, technical skills, and a network that MFs value. On the other hand, if you’re confident in your ability to secure a full-time PE role directly, the MF internship could be a faster route.
Recommendation:
Ultimately, weigh the risk of losing the BB offer against the potential upside of the MF internship. If you decide to take the gap year, ensure you have a strong plan and backup options in place.
Sources: Stanford vs Wharton vs Booth vs Columbia for PE, Doing a PE internship during my break before starting Banking FT?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/breaking-into-private-equity-from-banking?customgpt=1, How to deal with a recession career-wise? A few lessons learned during the previous GFC, Need direction in life
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