<p>Small investment bank in the technology group.
Pros: I didn't hate the work, liked the people, like the structure, want to get a broad understanding of technology companies, industries, and markets --> Learn a lot. After 2-3 years: I would consider 1) Starting my own company; 2) Joining a startup; 3) business development; 4) business school; 5) Venture Capital; 6) PE/Hedge Fund (more unlikely, but maybe)
Cons: I could probably make better use of my brain elsewhere (rather than binding books, making copies, numbering dividers, typing up what my Associate says). Sacrifices, sacrifices (time, weekends, sleep, sanity, etc)</p>
<p>Google. 2-year position on the business side in product marketing.
Pros: Interesting work (possibly), creative work & culture, more time for myself to be productive with after work, pay is significantly less (but not a big deal weighing the fact that both jobs will only be for 2 years). Also, if I could see myself being at Google after 2-years of banking, doesn't it make sense to start there right away if given the opportunity?
Cons: Low salary relative to banking, less structure means: you need to fight to get the work you want, menial work is not uncommon. Most people leave after a few years anyway. Harder to get back into banking if I want to (since banking jobs will get more and more competitive). Won't have "banking"/transaction experience for larger roles in corporate development where it's required. </p>
<p>I see myself able to fit in both jobs since I'm able to adapt to both types of cultures, although I'd say Google is more unpredictable in terms of what experience I get. Does one open more doors than the other? I would say they're about equal in terms of prestige, right?</p>
<p>I think it kind of depends on what you really want to do. What kind of shop is the bank? Mostly M&A? I don't know how it is at Google, I know they are unique so I don't want to say this is definitely true, but often times a way to get a higher level job at a corporation is to come from a few year stint in banking rather than in-house (not that its impossible, just the skills are highly desired). I guess a more direct question is, do you mind doing just marketing-ish work (that's what Google sounds like) or would you prefer to do more financial work... not they don't overlap, I've done enough pitch books to know that :-)</p>
<p>Do what you really want to do. All bets are off the next 2 years. You won't make as much as an IB analyst as you would have in 2007. I also hear things are tough in VC and that Silicon Valley is about to hit a wall. </p>
<p>With leaner banks all analysts won't move up or be rehired after B school. Choose a career you'll love.</p>
<p>Yeah overall slowdown hurts deal flow, but I think being in the middle-market may actually open up some opportunities. Not to mention they mostly don't have to deal with write downs.</p>
<p>Question for you. do you have offers at both places? LOL. no offense... but those are two highly competitive, highly different firms that you're speaking of.</p>
<p>If your resume said, investment club, wallstreetprep, interned as m&a analyst... I wouldn't grant you an interview at google. and vice versa.</p>
<p>My advice, if you're interviewing for those firms. Take whichever one offers you a position first. And then double back if you change your mind. Most of the time, offers are not in contract per se. But it IS frowned upon to take an offer and then 3 months later say, "i change my mind." Hell doing that could mean death for you if you were to ever apply for that firm again.</p>
<p>Fall recruiting should give you 2-3months to decide and offers should come out at around the same time unless the firm REALLY wants you. I always hate being given 1-3day notices. If I wasn't an intern when I received those notices, I'd be like, "Add 10k to that number"</p>
<p>That's probably for the best. It's good to get rid of the people who care nothing for the business and are just applying because they heard it's prestigious (which 18 months ago was a worryingly high proportion of the junior ranks in the profession).</p>
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<p>It's good to get rid of the people who care nothing for the business</p>
</blockquote>
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<p>But honestly, a first job is really just a 'stop' along a long journey. The same could be said about most undegrad degrees. (I.e., getting a polsci, math, or engineering major to eventually get into law-school or med-school -- the two have NOTHING to do with each other.)</p>
<p>I don't think it's fair to begrudge those who choose a job based on fame and fortune, rather than innate interest. For one thing, a lot of college-grads have 'innate interests' that won't pay bills in the least (my friend wanted to be a 'potato farmer' -- he's passionate about his spuds!)</p>
<p>I'm not begrudging them, but I will definitely be glad to encounter fewer of them in my workplace. Let them have whatever "life journeys" and "stops along the way" and misguided dreams of prestige that they want; just so long as they are in your office, not mine. </p>
<p>I'd prefer to work with people with genuine interest which results in deeper curiosity and understanding of our markets, than someone who sees the trading floor as "a step along a long journey". (gag)</p>
<p>There's a hiring freeze at Google right now. Those who were fortunate to be granted interviews were told they would be given an answer when the hiring freeze is over ( no date given ).</p>