<p>I'm a sophomore at a large state university, and I landed 2 internships this summer, and trying to decide which one to commit to. One is at Vanguard, in their College to Corporate program in AZ, the other is at small boutique IB in CT. They both have their pros and cons, and just looking for any advice.</p>
<p>Vanguard will offer me a corporate experience, through a formal training program, dealing with mutual funds, IRA's, etc. But not the IB banking knowledge. </p>
<p>IB will offer me a more personable environment, working alongside upper management, and a more diverse experience. But not formal training, and may lack name recognition. </p>
<p>Like a majority of people here, I hope to be a banker at a BB. Looking ahead to next year, when I apply to summer positions at BB's, will one put me in a better position than another? Does size and reputation of the firms you've interned at play a role?</p>
<p>This is a bit of a tough one. I would go with whichever will give you the better experience.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Vanguard is the better name of course and I would go with it IF the work experience will be actual work experience and not just meeting people, shadowing, etc without actual analytical experience.</p></li>
<li><p>For the boutique, if Vanguard sounds like a lot of fluff work, then go with the boutique if they are offering modeling experience, etc - otherwise go with vanguard just for the name</p></li>
<li><p>Remember, this is only your soph and you’ve got junior year for BB IB internships - therefore, if Vanguard sounds good, go with it for the better name and to essentially use it as your exposure to that business and you now know you want IB. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I would go with Vanguard. The problem with a smaller firm is it could very easily become a fluff. It probably wouldn’t be avery organized. It could be a good experience if they take the time to mentor you, otherwise you could end up getting coffee for people. D1 did one of those internships freshman year, she ended up surfing the net all day.</p>