Corp fin internship vs Boutique

I’m currently deciding between a situation and was wondering what best prepares me for 2021 SA recruiting. One option that I have is working at a firm such as black rock, vanguard etc doing corporate finance (paid/formal training etc...) or the other option which I have accepted is an unpaid boutique internship (most relevant experience) I am pretty set on doing m&a advisory in the future so what sets me up the best for this?

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

A variation of this question comes up somewhat frequently. I would strongly suggest the investment banking internship as long as you will be getting real transaction exposure and can take on relevant responsibilities. If you can afford to do so (I recognize there are plenty of folks who can't), I would not concern yourself with pay at this point. Having real IB experience this early on will pay dividends down the road.

For what it's worth, I know my team would much rather hire someone who has worked on live deals, is familiar with the process, etc. - all else being equal.

When you're recruiting, and you are asked about your internship experience, you can always say something like you had an offer at BlackRock doing ABC type of work but chose to work at XYZ for relevant experience. This will let them know you are capable of going through an interview process at a name brand firm like BlackRock or Vanguard, but chose an internship that was more relevant to your goals. Any banker worth his or her salt will see this as a positive

 

I guess what I’m saying is I do understand IB is unequivocally better than Corp fin and on a resume. but, for me, is it worth the X thousand dollars I’m giving up over the summer? could it be the difference in getting a super day or even interviewing and getting the offer? because I also get that that doesn’t really have a $ value on itt.

 

Sunt reprehenderit consequuntur tenetur ut omnis. Minus ullam assumenda eum rem laudantium dolores in. Est consequatur quasi corrupti eaque. Officiis esse at qui et rerum in voluptatum.

Ea laborum laboriosam aperiam sunt. Maiores eos necessitatibus ipsam et. Expedita est repellendus provident velit. Facilis omnis consequatur veritatis ipsum eaque iusto aperiam.

In dicta optio quia rerum corrupti neque. Velit iste maiores asperiores voluptatibus iusto ullam. Quam rem enim ducimus eos.

Nam sapiente saepe quia dicta. Sapiente vitae ipsam unde repudiandae tenetur. Id molestiae totam laudantium qui et. Iusto explicabo vitae sit fugit molestiae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”