How bad will it be when I start at GS?

Starting as a summer analyst in IB at a Goldman European office...keep hearing horror stories...but it is only 3 months, right? What can I really expect, regarding hours, responsibilities? Also, I don't know which group I am going into...guess wherever they need me. Any hints on how this will work out?

Thanks

 

I worked in S&T at a different bank last summer...and am doing research for a development bank right now...and cannot believe I really even got this GS job. I am kind of having nightmares about if I will even be able to stay awake. I don't care about not seeing my friends, I am abroad here alone this year. I am just wondering how it is physically possible to stay awake so long? On the trading floor, I had 15 hour days a lot. That is ok. Seriously, how many hours did you work on average? All-nighters every week? Did anybody get physically sick?!! aahhhh!! Also, did you learn on the job or were you able to do models from the get-go yourself.

 

Prepare to work similiar hours as regular analysts. They will most likely be a little less though, since my friend interned at BS and I don't think he ever had to pull an all nighter.


Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...

 

GS is rough on summer analysts. My friends who worked in IBD in New York last summer were not happy. When I hung with them once one had to turn off his phone on Saturday night at 11:30 because he'd made plans and knew they'd call him if he didn't turn it off. They looked totally beat all the time. One had worked at MS the summer before, when I saw him that summer he was relatively fine. Major difference.

 
Best Response

I interned the summer before at JPM in NY so I thought I was aware of what I was in for in terms of hours, workload, expectations, etc. Went with GS the next summer in all honesty because of the "prestige" of the name.

I too was nervous about keeping up with "the best". First days, loved it. By third week,I was fully crazed. aaahhhh- just thinking about it. Did complete the program, but the stress level, endless team/group meetings, pulled in every direction and attitude shown towards interns made it a living hell.

Yes, a couple of people left during the internship....don't know if they just walked out, got sick or even died!!!....it was never discussed.

I just left one friday night about 11 pm...out of sheer disgust. But hours are before 9am, rarely out before 3 or 4. Sat in before 10, all day to after minight or longer and all day Sun.

Expected to know and do more than you can imagine-little time to train or teach or guide you.

I don't mean to scare you. Just telling you my experience.Hopefully, yours will be much different. I too did not have family or friends in London so no conflict there.

I don't know if you are in London or another Euro-city and will depend on division/group/desk you get.

Have they finished their summer recruiting?, I think I applied about now and heard right after the New Year.

PS--lots of good perks though.

If you want you can take this off board and pm me.

 

yeah, fluent in English, Russian and a lil bit of Spanish(High School)

as far as relocating, not really, I live 35 mins from NYC, so I'd rather stick with Manhatten since its a financial center.


Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...

 

Did you apply to Troika and others?? You should really play up your international experience.Great demand. There were openings posted in London for analysts with bi-lingual English- Russian and Eastern European language skills. And a plus if you have fluency in a Euro-language. That is why I ask

 

john099,Can you tell me what you mean by Troika? I have quite a bit of international experience. I lived for at least six months in 5 countries on 3 continents. I speak English, an Eastern European and an Asian Language. Econ-Math major from a top 20 liberal art college. I have won various national math competitions while in high-schools and full-scholarship for college and last two years of high-school. And I don't even get interviews. The problem is I don't have an internship. Some of the blame is on me but there are also subjective factors not depending on me that influenced the outcome. I am also taking the CFA I level in June and I am confident I'll pass it, so in terms of finance theory I think I am on par with a first-year analyst. It seems like you've got quite an experience with the top banks, so i would appreciate advice on how I could leverage my advantages.

 

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