I just finished off my first week at a F500. Few things I realized are: work-life balance is overrated when you're living in a place without friends, and boredom is exhausting.
How's it going in IBD, summer analysts? Hanging in there? Anyone absolutely love it? Anyone want to never step foot in IBD ever again?
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Definitely have some same feelings as you OP. I felt I had a great chance with an IM firm but turned down the final interview for this unstructured F1000 position because I worked for their partnering firm in Asia before and was already in the process of getting the US summer work visa. 3 weeks in and I realized that it's not that great for where I want to be (corporate development) I still have no finance experience on my resume, although they'll throw me some budgeting-related work soon. The West Coast culture here is great though. The guys play basketball during lunch breaks and I join in sometimes. A lot of people lift and I've ran into them at the gym.
I just finished my 2 1/2 week at a MM IB doing ER. I absolutely love it. I'm really happy that A) I actually enjoy learning about and performing the work I do, and B) the culture at my office is phenomenal. It's probably because we're a satellite ER office (only 5 FT guys here), but from what I've heard it's just about the same at the HQ. Have only worn a suit once when the Head of Equity Markets came in to visit, and other than that it's been Sperrys & Polos all day err day.
It's a great learning environment here, too. There have been few things that I've had to do that actually had a "due" date, myself and the other intern are encouraged to take our time and makes sure everything is correct instead of flying through things quickly.
The hours aren't that bad either. I get in at 7:30 and leave anywhere between 5-6.
It's a formal and paid internship, but what we're actually assigned to do is pretty unstructured and basically just whatever our Sr. Analyst needs done. Most of these 2 1/2 weeks I've been helping write research reports, reading 10-ks and creating simple models. I took a leap of faith on Wednesday and came into his office and told him I wanted to start learning valuations since the other intern (just got his masters) has been doing them the whole time, and I felt like I could learn it. I was expecting to just be told to go do my work but today he sat down with me for 2 hours and walked me through a couple until I got a good grasp on it, and then gave me a pretty big project to start on.
Don't wanna jinx it or anything, but it looks like a possible FT offer may come from this.
Good job and keep crushing it.
I only just finished my freshman year though, so I still have two more summers to maybe explore different places. I'd really like to try to leverage this current internship into something in AM in NY.
I didn't mention that I was traveling 3/5 days for orientation and site visits. And I just don't like the job in general.
Everyone goes through this at the start of a job. Trust me, you won't know if you hate it for another few weeks. And even then, if it was a full-time job I would tell you that you don't know for at least 3 months. So try to keep your chin up and give it more of a chance, because if you don't then it turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
And judging the entire job on 5 days of mainly orientation doesn't seem too fair even if you're totally right.
Trust me, boredom is exhausting.
Absolutely.
I've also been going through training. I love it so far. We have many hot ladies in our SA class so it won't be as boring as I thought.
My SA class is literally a dozen trolls and 2 attractive girls.
Training. And no, there aren't more than a few hot ladies in the class.
Reading about variance swaps over the weekend. Not as bad as it sounds.
Our summer interns have arrived. This morning they watched a Baby Einstein DVD and took a nap.
hahahah nice
"many hot ladies" is such an amazing comment. Seriously, that made me laugh out loud.
It's going pretty well. The work was basically what I expected it to be but I've been very impressed by the perks (free dinner and cabs, sweet snack pantry). I haven't had to work ridiculous hours yet (~70 last week) but I think that'll start to ramp up pretty soon. I'm at a small place so there are only two other SAs and a summer associate, but they're all pretty cool dudes.
i like both "many hot ladies" and "sweet snack pantry"...when uve got hot ladies and good snacks everything else will fall into place.
I think it would be better if "sweet snack pantry" means you have "many hot ladies" in your SA class. Something like:
SA 1: Hows everything going at insert bank of your choice? SA 2: Not bad. I I get yelled out a lot and haven't slept in days, but we do have a sweet snack pantry. SA 1: Wow, HR must love you. SA 2: I hope so, that is the sweetest snack pantry of all.
Our Intern sat at his desk all day Thurs and Fri doing HR Training. Next week I plan to have him pick up my chipotle.
Got staffed on several deals and prospects. Working on my first weekend.
OP, are you an intern or are you just starting FT? The fact that you're a certified user has me very confused.
Yep, where's my star? :P
Turtles, I'm an intern, and I am a certified user.
Didn't realize he was an intern. Certification removed. sorry AsianMonky, it's a requirement that you work full time.
Thanks
hahaha
There is a reason you are called the "entitlement generation". 1 week and in you want off the ledge already luv it.
No I'm not complaining - I just had to travel a lot, which took a toll on me. Feeling better than ever this morning.
ironic considering the US entitlement structure is obscenely lopsided towards baby boomers. but sure. whatever you say
Couple of my interns going home before I do, getting 6-8 hours of sleep without fail. I'm going from unimpressed to actively pissed off at them.
Way to live up to your name Mr. Face Time.
Been awesome so far. This AM firm hasn't ever had a formal internship program before so I have some down time. But it's been good and all the senior guys are super accessible.
Very stress-free though I do kind of wish I had more days that were action-packed end to end.
Saw at least 5 interns at Chipotle today walk out with at least 8 bags. Pretty funny..
Hot ladies what bank and location?
This thread delivers.
Not bad.
Wish I were 21 though. I can't venture out of alphabet city with my friends without getting ID'd by every bouncer
.
Our interns have been cold calling all day. Brutal
agreed. baby boomers are the worst generation. law of averages said it had to happen though: ironic how the greatest generation gave birth to the worst. What a waste of genes.
I don't know, man. The younger generation today is pretty horrendous as well; I would know: I'm part of it.
Great move!
Just finished my third week at a boutique IB. Solid experience so far
It's the end of my first week at a group in Houston. I've logged over 85 hours and I'm probably going to be here until at least midnight today. I've been staffed on 3 deals already and still had time to go grab people's coffee.
You act like that's a lot
pretty chill. been at a vc for bouts 3 weeks, 9-7 most days
You have it easy dude... When I summered, every week was 105 hrs minimum.
I think that is said about every younger generation
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