SA or FT Recruiting
I'm faced with a unique situation and need some input. My intended graduation is Spring 2023. I discovered investment banking 6 months ago, and as a junior, and I realized I was very late to the SA 2022 process. After weighing my options, I decided to reclassify as a sophomore (by delaying graduation to Spring 2024) in order to recruit for 2023 SA positions. Before recruiting, I was initially pursuing a different career in STEM, but none of my experiences were finance related. Recently, I was extremely fortunate to accept a buy-side internship offer for summer 2022 (small but reputable firm), and now I am a bit unsure of what to do next. The firm won't give me modeling experience in the way banking would, and I'm not sure how many technical skills are transferrable. Ideally, I'd want to stay with the firm full time, but want to have a plan of action in case I don't get a return offer.
However, I am now having second thoughts on recruiting for summer 2023 internships. A mentor recommended I don't recruit for SA 2023, and just try to recruit for FT 2023 if I don't get my return offer. Any tips on what to do in my situation?
TLDR:
Junior / NYC nontarget / 3.8 / STEM major / summer 2022 buy-side internship
Has opportunity to graduate Spring 2023 or Spring 2024, no completed banking summer internships
Is it better to recruit for FT roles for 2023 or SA roles for 2023 while delaying graduation for a year? What are the lesser known pros and cons of both?
I would network like crazy at firms and groups you want to work at, specifically with VPs and up. Explain your story (not over email, once you get on the phone with them) and then ask their opinion. They'll know if you'd be better waiting or not, and have the most pull, especially for SA. This kinda eliminates some of the uncertainty, especially if you can get 1 or 2 who really champion you.
P.S. if the call went well and it's a group you like, ask, typically at the end of the call, if they could connect you with some juniors in their group, "to get their perspective on recruiting" or something. That way you can explain your case before recruiting starts and they'll be familiar. Plus, if it really goes well, ask for their interview tips.Good luck!
I really appreciate this perspective. I've been actively networking with junior bankers from all the firms I'm interested in, but I didn't think about asking the seniors for their opinion about SA vs FT. Thank you so much, will keep this in mind!
Of course and honestly I've found sometimes seniors were more responsive to cold emails, just keep your email short and have a solid resume to attach. If you can really hit it off with a senior and their group offers SA positions, I’d make sure to keep in contact and follow through. Following up and following through is one of the more important things of networking, but don’t be too annoying. It's tough man but it's worth it!
Delete
Corrupti quia aut beatae quis repudiandae esse. Est soluta laborum repellat accusantium fugit perferendis.
Laudantium quibusdam est omnis inventore distinctio earum aut aliquam. Porro voluptatem quia qui. Voluptas repellat ducimus eveniet repellat earum aut. Dignissimos optio sunt dolorem quidem distinctio. Sed voluptas nisi sed illo voluptatem blanditiis.
Suscipit non cupiditate sunt eum quasi. Mollitia et omnis ratione rem beatae. Voluptatem mollitia aut optio quam velit beatae. Sint eius commodi quasi quia expedita iusto ut. Omnis qui inventore provident dolorem assumenda quia reiciendis sed. Excepturi non quia ut ut ut maxime.
Incidunt harum tenetur et saepe voluptatibus porro. Aliquid quibusdam sint consequatur accusantium quis eveniet. Officiis architecto culpa qui expedita qui voluptatem deserunt. Voluptas debitis id omnis rerum ut dignissimos dolorum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...