Hi guys, I wanted to ask if anyone has gone through the interview process for Ducera; if so, any information would be greatly appreciated regarding the nature of first-rounds and superdays (e.g. technical v. fit) as well as qualities they seem to be looking for in candidates. Thank you
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Not relating to interviews, but Ducera typically only takes 2 interns and only hires 1 of them after the summer, making it a pretty competitive/shitty internship experience. just fyi
Is this based off of a sample size of one? Also, how much of it was due to the other intern underperforming? Appreciate the information - just trying to get a more nuanced view
Happened two years in a row to kids from my school. Ducera's banking team is only like a 15 person office I think, so the 2 interns per summer is standard unless they decide to grow. They were told there would only be one return offer at the end of the summer before their internships started
I know a couple who work there FT. 2 summers / 1 offer has happened in each year in existence. Heard the reason is because senior management does not want to commit to both just in case the business does not grow. Apparently they are penny pinchers. They are a very small firm and only focused on creditor-side rx, so somewhat justified. Heard it's not your typical summer intern experience (events, networking, exploring different groups to find your fit). Does seem risky to enter program though unless it's your only offer.
I work at another restructuring shop and we had a previous intern from Ducera interview with us for a full time spot. Obviously, we asked why he was not going back to Ducera full time, and he explained it was a mutual decision.
The candidate claimed he had only one day off the entire summer. He said he and the other intern were asked to spread the financials for every company in the S&P 500, just because. Additionally, since there were very few junior bankers (he said there was just 1 full time analyst and 1 associate at the time) it sounded like he had to take on very large amount of responsibility for an intern, like making full pitch books by himself in 2 days.
I can't confirm any of that info, but I do understand Ducera has a very upside down org structure with a lot of Partners / MDs and few junior bankers. I don't think that necessarily creates a great experience for an analyst or an intern, but I guess that depends on what you're looking for.
As mentioned by DK, they do focus on creditor side restructuring, though they have been brought in on some really big M&A deals.
Fwiw, I met someone who interned at Ducera & went back FT and they were happy with their experience. Wouldn't generally rely on SAs who don't receive return offers as credible sources of information
DonkeyKong123 sounds a little upset. Spoke with a friend who works at Ducera and was told the reason for those interns not being extended full time offers was completely performance based. Were you able to hold in your laughter after hearing his "mutual decision" line?
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Can confirm similar stories to this one. They do a hell of a job on creditor side Rx, but it sounds like a nightmarish place to be as a junior banker in terms of both workload and culture.
Also, the seniors there are apparently trying to keep all the juniors to stay and will not assist in recruiting/recruiting must be done behind closed doors. Exits have seemingly suffered because of this.
I interviewed for a lateral analyst position there a few months ago. Extremely technical - associate who interviewed me didn't even ask me a single question about my background, deal experience or resume. He just started blitzing me with generic technical questions from the beginning. He made the questions progressively difficult until he was either satisfied with my answer or so he could get the satisfaction of telling me what the right answer was. Questions focused a lot on enterprise value and debt (as you would imagine with an RX interview). Seemed like their deal teams run extremely lean (one analyst, one associate, MD/partner). They are a legit RX shop, and I heard that their comp is above street.
Negative experience as well
Had a first round interview scheduled with them for an analyst position. The call was moved several times last minute. And then they didn't get back to me afterwards as promised.
I was just cancelled on for a call last minute, last minute, were you ever able to go through the phone interview?
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