Didn't Get i-banking M&A internship this summer, Stuck With Corp Fin Instead

Hi,

So basically, I didn't end up getting an M&A i-banking gig this summer and all I have is an internship with a very small company (M&A team. I know this is kinda crappy, but is there any way I can spin this positively for next year?

 

Not sure what year your in but any experience is good....

For example culture:

Say you interview with a small/boutique bank next year, say you really want the small company feel, ability to take on responsibilities even as an analyst and being able to interact even with senior members.

Say your at a large bank, state that you would like the opportunity to work at a larger firms as the larger deals intrigue you. Communicate that you had many responsibilities at the smaller company as they did not have as many analysts and you really had to hold your weight.

 

It is better than nothing. You're a rising senior? Even though it is a small gig, at the smaller firms (usually) there is more flexibility that allows you to gain much more legit experience that you can put on your resume. If it is as small as you say you can easily build a rapport with the more senior or full time people and convince them to give you some non-bitch work in which you can articulately regurgitate for the interviewers come fall. That's what I'd do (and have done only I was a rising junior).

 
Best Response

Ignore "my" history on this site because I'm using my buddy's old account, but yes, I'm a rising senior. I applied to a bunch of BBs/i-banks but didn't get anything unfortunately. This was the best I could find on really short notice that's still relevant to my goals.

I spoke with the guy and he seems like he's gonna work me hard. He already said he'd expose me to the modeling aspects, but also he said he'd show me the more "human" or "qualitative" aspects that happen with the deal (i.e. how it fits the company's structure, the theory behind why this is the best way to grow the company, etc.). The guy I'm working with has also had very, very legit experience (don't want to disclose exactly what, but he's been high up at a F500 company before moving to this smaller firm) so he definitely knows his shit.

I'm just worried about the lack of a brand name on my resume (non-target, non-F500/i-banking work experience, etc.) and if that will screw me over. I have no doubt though that my experience at this firm will be great

 

If you have a good GPA and a good network then you can make it. I also had zero brand name on my resume and went to a non-target but my experience was good. My contacts pulled me through. Hopefully you can do the same. I can write a whole book on networking but I'm sure you're familiar.

 

^My GPA is nothing great (3.77, but only in finance, not a quantitative subject) and I have a few contacts, but most of my network is growing in the sense that I have a good amount of friends at ivies that will only be able to help me later on down the road. I guess I gotta start cold-contacting people on linkedin? Or what would you do?

 
Jerome <span class=keyword_link><a href=/company/kohlberg-company target=_blank>Kohlberg</a></span>:
^My GPA is nothing great (3.77, but only in finance, not a quantitative subject)

3.77 is nothing to frown at. I'ved had pretty good success with a ~2.77 so far, granted I go to a semi-target and I know several connected people who have been willing to help me out. Like someone already mentioned, find a way to spin whatever you did (without lying) and be able to talk to people about why you want to do investment banking.

That said networking is important. I probably wouldn't have gotten anywhere without the people who helped me. You should be networking all the time, even when you're waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting in the doctors office. You never know how someone could be able to help you out. True story: I was waiting for my oil to be changed at Jiffy Lube and I struck up a conversation with an old man. Turns out he was a very successful lawyer. When he learned I was interested in banking, he took my contact info and passed it on to his neighbor who runs a boutique bank. I landed an internship.

 

3.77 is just fine. Your friends at ivies are of no help to you at this point. The best spot to start looking to reach out to some alumni from your school that are in banking. Ask your finance club / capital markets club officers or whatever for contacts and email them, set up a time to talk on the phone, then take a networking trip to NYC or SF, LA or wherever you want to be and visit them in person. If you spend the dime to meet these people in person it will show that you are serious and they will pull for you.

 

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