Top boutique M&A intern doesn't know what to do in the future (SBs!)

I am also doing a long-term internship in M&A at a bank in Frankfurt right now, and in my opinion the lifestyle really depends on the bank/group. While I also had my fair share of all-nighters and working weekends, it certainly isnt always the case at my bank.

Furthermore, whether all-nighters and weekends are painful also depends a lot on the ppl u work with. Obviously I would also prefer to go home earlier, but thanks to my colleagues working nights and weekends is actually kinda fun.

With regard to London I can tell you from what I know from our London office that hours definitely arent better. Ppl sometimes do go home earlier, but only to work from home via remote access.

Anyway, send me a PM if u ever want to grab a drink.

Dude, you can get a solid 6 hours of sleep every night. That's crazy good.

Thanks for the helpful comments and the private messages guys, I really appreciate all your help!

@Asatar: Yes I know that I'm in a pretty decent position in terms of exposure, I work on awesome deals, the people are cool to work with and I rarely do any regular bullshit intern work. I'm actually willing to make some sacrifices in terms of work-life balance, but what I'm having at the momentn isn't a sacrifice, it's more of a total cut of my "life". But yeah, I'm not completely set on leaving banking behind, because - like I said - I enjoy the work and it would put me in a very decent position in terms of exit opps or any future opportunities. And thanks for the insights about London, although I really heard that their hours are better. I guess it also comes down in what group at what bank you are placed. But the bank that I'm at is said to be "leaner" and more chill than f.e. the US top BBs, but I can hardly think of a worse lifestyle.

@KingEastwood: Don't get me wrong, the people are nice, much better than I expected. The work is pretty awesome too and I'm ok with pulling the long nights all the time. But the weekend work is just ridiculous, I didn't have a day off in months and I just got back from my sunday work day (just pointless..). One day of on weekends would make life considerably better imo, but that's just not the case at the moment. I'm also a very career driven, hard working person, but I just need a life outside the office as well. Don't want to sound whiny but a little bit of life wouldn't hurt for me ;-) I will pm you for drinks anytime soon, cheers!

@BTBanker: I'm not complaining about the lack of sleep or something, it's not that I'm tired all the time and just feel bad. I'm totally okay with the amount of sleep and I'm still in shape (although I rarely manage to hit the gym at the moment), but there should be a little bit more outside of the office than 6 hours of sleep.

Anyways, thank you all, I really appreciate your comments!

To be honest, slightly riskier, but maybe join an industry group (Tech since you're alluding to Siemens). Here is why.

1. You can make sure the group does M&A
2. Hours likely a bit lighter if you do your homework on the firm (maybe 1 day per weekend)
3. It sets you up for a corporate M&A gig after your two years, if you did XYZ industry M&A deals then you could jump into that industry role at a name brand firm and be part of that division

Now another way to do it would be to go into transactional service... But since you are able to do the job, highly recommend you do not do that.

Finally, another angle would be to work in M&A at a satellite office, again likely less hours same work (this is another general statement of course if you work in a sweatshop satellite you are f'd). Overall you want to try and clear out 1 day per weekend for the 2 year stint.

To be honest it sounds like you are cut out for the job so would recommend fishing out an industry group with decent M&A or moving to a satellite with M&A. The 2 years sets you up to pretty much be employable for the next 10 years because its a badge of honor of sorts.

Finally, sounds like you are either at a sever sweatshop or are still ramping up excel/word/ppt speed. Sounds like a sweatshop from your post, so be careful in assuming all banks are like that (they absolutely are not) and when you interview for a different bank, which you should do ASAP if not now, talk directly with analysts about hours.

Should have read that post more in depth, then simply switch banks is really the answer here. Find one related to companies mentioned and when you interview to switch banks be sure to talk to analysts about hours without coming off as lazy.

That's pretty much it, avoiding the 2 years is usually a bad idea for job prospects down the line. Leverage your full-time role and interview like crazy.

"I actually enjoy the work I do, the valuation, the research, the presentations and my bank regularly gives strategic advice to CEOs, CFOs"

This line is especially funny. The fact that you think CEOs are taking action because of your research or your MD's pitch is comical. They are only doing something because they already wanted to do it. You are "helping" them accomplish what they wanted to do because of the relationship your bank/MD holds with that client.

I don't even dislike banking, but if you have the slightest doubt about not wanting to do IB FT, you shouldn't. Get that FT offer and leverage to something you like.

I would recommend you check out boutique and MM banks. Some of them definitely have better work-life balances than the BBs and elites. The deals you work on will rarely make the front page, but at least you get to have friends.

The hard part is differentiating the boutique sweatshops that are constantly pitching from the ones that are well-connected in their industries and can cut out a lot of the useless pitchbook exercises by not competing in bakeoffs.