Top Group at (CS/Citi/Bar) vs GS
Would you guys rather take a top group at CS/Bar/Citi that has proven to give great exits, or a mid tier group at GS (Classic)?
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Just one data point, but I took CS Sponsors over GS (got promised group placement before I accepted the offer)
im in the same boat rn. CS Sponsors, but have the chance to interview for full time at GS. Do you regret it?
Can I PM you?
Personally, I don't regret it at all. I knew I wanted to do PE, and sponsors at CS is one of the best groups on the Street for PE. I also loved the culture of the group. For my pros/cons list, literally the only pro for my GS offer was "prestige" which I eventually realized was a dumb reason anyways. When you're comparing a top group on Wall Street (CS Sponsors) and two global bulge bracket banks, the impact of prestige is pretty much negligible. Actually enjoying the work (I like LevFin, PE deals), the culture, the people, and the exit opportunities far outweighed the Goldman "prestige factor" for me. To be honest, you're in a great spot and can't go wrong with either, but if I were in your shoes (and I was) I'd take CS Sponsors. Just my two cents.
Are you an incoming analyst / class of 2021? If gs is recruiting full time would you mind lmk pm or reply. I mentor someone who would benefit
The CS Sponsors and LevFin groups beat out most other groups at other BB (except for like Goldman TMT)
Headed to one of the mid-tier BBs you mentioned, but can't go wrong with any of the IBD Classic groups at GS (non-RE/Infra).
Goldman Sachs hands down. I don’t think a top group at a mid-tier bank will give you better exits than any GS group. Once you’re at GS, the group you’re in only has a marginal impact on recruiting. You will be able to get an interview at any top shop and headhunters will make time for you if you’re from GS.
The Goldman Sachs name and alumni network is impossible to beat. If you realize banking isn’t for you (which is fairly likely, just look at all the first years quitting), Goldman Sachs will put you in a far better position than any other bank. The name on your resume will help you get your foot in the door in most industries and geographies. GS provides far more optionality outside of high finance while still providing the same opportunities within high finance as a top group at a mid-tier bank. Once you leave the world of MF PE, people just see the GS name and couldn’t care less about what group you’re in.
I work at GS and this is much too exaggerated.
No. Because i want to impress farmers in Kansas
M&A at the others, TMT and FIG at GS.
Bump
“Mid tier” group at GS all day, everyday. What’s a mid tier group at GS anyway? Second on the league tables?
PE placement will probably be better at GS anyway, but for the sake of the argument let’s assume it’s equal. now, you get to decide what brand you want on your resume for the rest of your career. The pinnacle of finance or a middling bulge bracket? You can decide. How about exposure, unless you’re talking about Barclays, GS is the only option where you’ll execute M&A completely in house. Lastly, comp. at GS your base is a street high (for BBs and honestly street in general) at 110 and 125, and bonuses were DUMBY this year. The only fathomable compromise I can think of is GS having tough culture / longer hours, but if you’re going to a top group at these other BBs it’s probably very similar anyway, so this difference is marginal.
make the right decision and go to GS. It’s much more likely you’ll regret going to CS (slowly dying), Barclays (changes their mind every other year about the future of the investment bank), or Citi (only thing it has going is the balance sheet).
EDIT: if you’re going to downvote, have the balls to debate your point, otherwise it’s assumed you’re just someone at C/Barc/CS that had their feelings hurt
3 MS’s and no substantiated rebuttal. Salty salty!
Took a MM bank over GS, don’t regret it for a second. Got the group I wanted, in a city I love and will work in one of the best PE firms out there in my tier 2 city. These Goldman clowns can chortle deez nuts as they climb the corporate latter at large finance firms chasing prestige and neglecting their friends and family.
Just remember, when you die, it’s not going to be your friends and family that matter, it will be the Goldman name. Some things last even into the afterlife and the Goldman sachs name is everlasting.
For someone who’s also climbing the ladder at a corporate firm I don’t think youre really in a position to talk down about it. You’re just doing it somewhere less desirable for personal reasons, which is not as heroic as you make it seem.
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