Cowen Reputation?

Hi Guys-

I have a first round coming up next week with Cowen for their SA IBD. I have a good idea of what to expect out of the interview, but I was wondering if some people could chime in on what the current state of Cowen is. I searched through the forums but there doesn't seem to be any recent discussion. Mainly interested in pay, exit opps, and how good their HC and Tech coverage groups are compared to other MMs.

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Best Response

I don't mean to be a dick, and admittedly have started similar threads (albeit asking more about interview prep), but you have a first round phone call- you need to do well on that, get to the next round, do well on a super day, get an offer, and do well in the internship to even think about exit opps/private equity. Just do as well as you can and try to get the job.

 

Cowen is a fine firm for anyone in the middle market.

Listen to black Jack though in terms of your career and attitude, many people don't even last 1 year in the industry, let alone make it as a career.

In fact, an obsession with the buy-side is usually done from people with low experience. Many guys on the sell side make a killing financially relative to buyside.

 
keysersoze11Would you say these companies S&T arms are as well respected as their IBD divisions are? I'm assuming it'd more or less be similar?

Maybe? Have to realize these are very small divisions of already pretty small firms. I know a bit more about Sanlder S&T then I do Cowen, but at least for Sandler the guys there are pretty smart/respected guys and it wouldn't be a bad place at all to work.

 

From what I gather, NYC's current most lucrative line of business is their debt and equity offerings, primarily in the healthcare and biotech space. Just know what you're signing up for (as you should for any banking job or job in general). If you're looking for modeling intensive M&A work, you're likely going to be disappointed. The ECM desk is booming over there and Kevin Reynolds is a great leader. I know some of the younger bankers there as well - great group of guys and quality of life is solid. You'll come away with a great skill set - just make sure it's the skill set you're looking for because no one likes that sour SA whining that he's not doing enough mahhhhhdeling.

 

Asking the question is this company worth going to does not make much sense without hearing your other options. Without other offers, then of course you should go (applies for pretty much any IBD vs not decision), since your primary goal should be to break in. If you asked about Cowen a year ago then you might have received a slightly different response. Recently, Cowen has been doing better and brought in some new senior guys (post merger). Not too sure about Beijing though.

 
MD8Asking the question is this company worth going to does not make much sense without hearing your other options. Without other offers, then of course you should go (applies for pretty much any IBD vs not decision), since your primary goal should be to break in. If you asked about Cowen a year ago then you might have received a slightly different response. Recently, Cowen has been doing better and brought in some new senior guys (post merger). Not too sure about Beijing though.
i got ur point. it's important to enter this business~
 

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