<p>I have a question about internships. If one were to choose between working in software development at Microsoft and working in technology application development at Goldman Sachs for the summer, which one would you choose? I have been told that banks like people with analytical skills, but I don't know if it's better to actually work for a IB firm to see if I like the culture there. At the same time, I've heard that the tech companies like Microsoft and Apple don't feel THAT impressed if they see you interned at a financial firm's technology division. Please give your opinions, thanks.</p>
<p>anyone??~~~</p>
<p>I think it all depends on what you want to do after graduating. Obviously they’re fairly different career paths and you should go with the one that reflects which career you’d like to go for.</p>
<p>That said, I think working for Microsoft would impress a lot more companies interested in hiring CS grads than a Goldman Sachs internship would.</p>
<p>Where do you want to end up and where do your interests lie? </p>
<p>The cultures at these firms are VERY different. I’ve worked at Microsoft and it is very laid back and is full of geeks who building amazing new projects in any area you could dream of (mobile, games, internet, desktop, business, etc.). You will get entrenched in the tech world there just because of the people and culture you are surrounded by.</p>
<p>I have not worked at GS, but know several people who have. It is much more professional, and I would expect the projects would be geared towards building tools for the financial analysts. </p>
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<p>I would only take the GS position if it looks like it could feed you into a quant position… IT people at financial places are treated as secondary citizens.</p>
<p>However much I dislike Microsoft, it’s much better to work somewhere where technology is what \drives\ the company, rather than an area they are forced to sink their money. And Microsoft on your resume is more impressive to just about anyone who hires software people.</p>
<p>I absolutely agree with the above poster. At Microsoft, the technology is the value driver. At Goldman Sachs, you are the overhead.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the opinions. I’ve also heard about the difference in the quality of life between working in the finance industry and IT industry’s software development groups. I guess I was thinking about GS because it seems like a lot of people are interested in finance, and I feel maybe I should see what finance is about that makes it so attractive to so many people. I am pretty sure I will like the type of work that I will be doing at MS, and I am just wondering whether I should go for what I already think I will like or explore into what I may or may not like. Do you think working in GS Tech will help me more if I want to get into a position in finance later on? Or do you think in fact that a position at MS will be a better indicator for my analytical skills IF I end up trying to apply for finance positions in the future than whether I’ve worked in a finance firm before? Again, I’ve never done any finance related works (in fact, I have not taken any finance related courses, and I think I’m def more comfortable in the tech environment), and this is just a field that makes me curious to explore.</p>
<p>And what if your not actually really into Computer Science and will not be taking a programming job but rather a sort of Engineering/Technical Management internship? What would be more impressive?</p>