<p>I am a sophomore from Harvard and am applying to a few diversity programs at some of the BB firms. I was wondering if I am unsure of either going into sales and trading or investment banking, which would be better to apply to. I was hoping to maybe do one of them this summer and the other the next summer and then decide from there. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Also maybe it is a firm specific question so to tell you the firms they are JP Morgan, Goldman, Barclay's and Citi.</p>
<p>Have you visited
<a href=“http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/[/url]”>http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/</a> ?</p>
<p>It’s filled with great stuff!</p>
<p>Sent from my HTC Glacier using CC App</p>
<p>two different animals. In Investment Banking, you’re working in groups with the goal of providing advice to clients about acquiring other businesses, going public, restructuring, etc. The entry level role is about formatting powerpoint presentations and building financial models. </p>
<p>In Sales & Trading you’re working in a very market-driven environment. A junior sales&trading analyst gathers information for senior traders, coordinates with salespeople & sales-traders, and a bank’s research analysts. At a certain point they will also start executing trades and generating their own ideas. </p>
<p>There is also a work life difference, S&T starts at 6am and goes until 5pm, while IB never ends, basically. To generalize broadly, if you like a fast-paced market driven technical environment, think S&T. If you like a blend of politics, teamwork, and fundamentals of corporate finance and accounting, think IB.</p>
<p>^Good answer from what I understand from my D, in trading, and her two roommates in IB.</p>
<p>Just to add onto what jgerson was saying, the the hours in S&T will vary by desk although by and large, what jgerson said was correct. If you’re product in Asia, the hours will be different. If you’re trading an OTC product, the hours will also be a bit different. </p>
<p>Also, this is just my own personal opinion, but I’d do my best to pick which area you want to go into as soon as possible, rather than doing a summer in each. </p>
<p>Those fortunate souls who were able to do sophomore programs in banks ( most people don’t do anything relevant until their junior year) will often get their pick of desks or groups should they return their junior year. This will give you a huge leg up over everyone else. </p>
<p>If however, you find yourself hating whatever you chose your sophomore year, by all means switch. It shouldn’t even be that difficult.</p>