BB S&T Strat vs anywhere IB

Hi!

I'm (diversity / target) recruiting for 2025 SA. I got an offer for S&T strat at a BB, but it explodes in two weeks. I've been struggling to get first rounds or diversity days for the MMs that have opened, and I have somewhat of a non-traditional finance background -- my first finance internship will be summer 2024. I'm very unsure about whether I want to get into the CS side of S&T with strat -- I'm more interested in finance, economics, and the markets -- which is why I've been trying to recruit for banking instead. Was wondering how to approach the recruiting process this early, and what my legitimate chances of getting an IB SA are? Also the differences in exits/experiences for both?

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how you might approach your situation:

  • Recruiting Process: Given that you're recruiting for a 2025 SA position and have an exploding offer from a BB for S&T strat, you should weigh your current offer heavily. The finance industry, especially at the BB level, is highly competitive, and offers are not guaranteed. If you're more interested in finance, economics, and the markets, S&T might actually align well with your interests, even if it's on the strat side.

  • Chances of Getting an IB SA: Your chances of landing an IB summer analyst position depend on several factors, including your networking efforts, how you leverage your non-traditional background to your advantage, and the strength of your application materials (resume, cover letter, etc.). With a non-traditional background, you'll need to craft a narrative that showcases transferable skills and a genuine interest in investment banking.

  • Differences in Exits/Experiences:

    • S&T Strat: Typically involves a mix of quantitative and technical work, with a focus on developing strategies for trading. It's a role that can offer deep insights into market mechanisms and can be intellectually stimulating. Exit opportunities might include roles in hedge funds, especially those with a quantitative or systematic focus, or moving into a trading role.
    • Investment Banking (IB): Offers a broad understanding of corporate finance, M&A, and capital markets. The work is often project-based with long hours and involves financial modeling, client presentations, and deal execution. Exit opportunities are vast, ranging from private equity to corporate finance roles within industry, and sometimes even hedge funds or asset management.

Given the tight timeline of your offer, it's crucial to act swiftly. If you're set on IB, continue to apply and network aggressively in the short window you have. However, if those efforts don't yield an IB offer before your S&T strat offer expires, it may be wise to accept the BB offer. It's a solid opportunity, and as mentioned in previous WSO threads, internal mobility within a BB can provide a path to transition into IB later on if you find that S&T strat isn't aligning with your long-term goals.

Sources: What offers would you take over a BB S&T?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/eb-vs-bb-long-term-and-exits?customgpt=1, S&T vs Capital Markets Long-Term, Sales and trading exit opportunities/pay/etc. (please help!), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/trading/ib-after-st-summer?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

It is a great role. 
But I wonder how did you get into that kind of role if you aren’t passionate about it. The interviews are quite technical that’s why I am asking. Do you have a STEM background?

 

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