Is it ok to bring a backpack to work in Asset Management?

Might be a stupid question but I start my internship this summer and I wanted to bring my backpack for anything I needed to bring home. I don't know what's typical in high finance gigs but the office seemed slightly on the casual side (some people were dressed clean-cut but with tennis shoes on a Thursday). Also I assume it'd be pretentious for an analyst to bring a briefcase and messenger bags are too hipster/not masculine for my taste

 

My company has a backpack wall of shame. You are forced to take a back to school picture with it on, which is hung on the wall below the backpack. You cannot take it home and you will be ridiculed forever.

In all seriousness, nobody really cares. I don't agree that a messenger/briefcase is pretentious, but I guess it all depends on your co-workers. Feel it out, nobody else can tell you what makes sense. As long as its not something outrageous, I think you'll be okay, especially if your colleagues are nice people. Whats the worst that happens? Someone makes a light-hearted joke?

Array
 

I did that my senior year of college. I lost my backpack because I was an idiot and my friend had a large roller bag he would use as a mini suitcase, so I borrowed it. I felt like a pimp rolling that thing around in the library.

 

Messenger bags are the way to go, they are not hipster/girly at all in the modern world. Maybe 10 years ago but they're in style now.

That being said, nothing inherently wrong with a backpack, I would however suggest buying a somewhat nicer backpack and not showing up with a 10 year old Jansport. You want to look professional. Black, brown, grey or canvas are the best options, depending on what else you wear. You don't want to look like a kid, you want to inspire trust, and appearance can help with that. Just like how you won't show up with a cheap ass junkie briefcase your granddad gave you, don't show up with some cheap ass junkie backpack.

I think that a nice leather gym bag may actually be a more professional option than a backpack and accomplishes the same result. To someone 10+ years into their career, seeing a 22 year old with a backpack screams "I was JUST a student", seeing a 22 year old with a gym bag says "I take care of myself and maintain a healthy lifestyle". If you're in NYC, you won't wear the backpack anyways, it's 100 deg in the subway through the summer. That's death to your shirt and everyone around you (sweat city).

Regardless, just look at what your colleagues use. Every office has different culture. If more than one or two people are already bringing backpacks, bring something in similar style. If nobody brings a backpack to work, ask yourself if this is worth standing out over.

 

I got some shit once from a superior for having a Jansport type backpack last summer. It wasn't a big deal, but he was right that it did make me look like a student. Would just go for a nice briefcase/messenger bag; that's what I plan on doing this summer.

 

Voluptatem aut est sunt consequatur omnis et. Fuga repellendus odit iusto provident voluptatum velit aut voluptatibus.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

Laudantium inventore qui nulla inventore provident fuga. Optio molestias fugit consequatur id doloribus. Rem excepturi porro placeat fugit reprehenderit quasi accusantium.

Quaerat est ut alias voluptatibus doloremque. At mollitia aut et repellat voluptatem.

Nihil necessitatibus ab qui animi. Consequatur voluptatibus nobis eaque aut. Sit minus voluptas ab sint. Est doloremque omnis est amet.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”