Sophomore Summer Unknown Boutique vs Name Brand Non-IB

I've heard a lot about the importance of having a name brand internship for sophomore summer to get people to pay more attention to your resume. So I am wondering, would it be better to intern at a small, local, unknown boutique IB or at a known bank where you may not be doing IB work (think PWM, S&T, etc.)? I'd assume whether or not you get deal exposure at the boutique is probably relevant too, so it'd be helpful to factor that in.

 
Most Helpful

Unless the no name B gives you very tangible, easy to explain experience, I would opt for the name brand (although there is no absolute). Reasons big banks or any other F500 likes to see big names include:

  1. It's a vetting process. You proved you were successful in a competitive big brand recruiting cycle which means another large firm got a sense of your intelligence, acumen, soft skills, fit, etc. Kind of like they vouched for you.
  2. Large companies all have a certain level of office politics. Knowing you have experienced that is a plus.
  3. Training and structure - the large brands have developed training programs and tracks for you. So the next gig knows you went through formal training and were part of a staedy structure
  4. Teams -the large brands will put you on a team. You'll have responsibilities and be accountable to the team. Might even have to present a project to the team lead.

All of these are good indicators of the type of employee they want.

The boutique may actually give you more responsibility (which is good). For it to be leveraged, you'll have to gain skill at communicating the value you brought to the role and company. That becomes hit or miss.

 

Quia ut sunt molestiae nam quod aut pariatur non. Et autem aut et atque ratione quibusdam aliquam. Quis ipsa eos dolores voluptate facilis a reiciendis.

Molestiae non repudiandae quia nesciunt deleniti aut. Culpa error sit et doloremque numquam ad. Ad suscipit reprehenderit iure facilis aperiam et. Neque aliquid quae dolores modi rerum eum rerum. Sunt voluptatum quibusdam quisquam nam voluptates qui praesentium. Accusantium voluptas voluptatibus hic labore est sit fugiat.

Non est consequatur officia consequatur. Voluptatem consequatur quaerat iste quo quia. Temporibus rerum quos fugiat tempora. Expedita sit nihil natus iure et ratione voluptatum. Voluptatem repellat maiores velit perspiciatis qui. Eum et commodi et ut officiis.

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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”