<p>Hey everyone. I'm posting here because I've always received solid information from posters, and I respect many of the posters here. </p>
<p>Background: I'm a rising sophomore at Columbia in NYC. If I'm going to study abroad at Oxford or Cambridge my junior year, I need to apply this fall. Upon graduation, I want to work at either a top managing consulting firm or an i-bank, perferably in NYC but not necessarily so.</p>
<p>Here are my questions. </p>
<p>1) In studying abroad, how likely will I be to lose my leadership positions on the Newspaper and College Democrats? Is such leadership even important when it comes to getting a solid internship and the type of job I want upon graduation? </p>
<p>2) I recognize the importance of that elusive summer internship. But exactly how important is that internship? Is it possible to interview for these positions when the interviews usually take place in NYC and take place junior year, if I'm at Oxford or Cambridge? </p>
<p>3) Perhaps most important: What looks better on a resume for the kind of fancy finance job I'm looking for--One year spent studying at Oxford or Cambridge, or a couple of leadership positions in respected organizations (Newspaper, College Democrats) and a good internship (which I fear I won't be able to get if I'm out of the country)?</p>
<p>I'd GREATLY appreciate it if anyone who knows the answer to one or any of these questions would take the time to address them. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>Weird. There is not "an answer," man; there are so many variables and factors to be taken into consideration.</p>
<p>"1) In studying abroad, how likely will I be to lose my leadership positions on the Newspaper and College Democrats? Is such leadership even important when it comes to getting a solid internship and the type of job I want upon graduation?"</p>
<p>Well, if you don't know and you are the one holding these positions...who will? Really, think about it for one second.</p>
<p>"3) Perhaps most important: What looks better on a resume for the kind of fancy finance job I'm looking for--One year spent studying at Oxford or Cambridge, or a couple of leadership positions in respected organizations (Newspaper, College Democrats) and a good internship (which I fear I won't be able to get if I'm out of the country)?"</p>
<p>Are you kidding me? hmmm...let's see...treasurer for College Democrats vs. spending a year at Oxford or Cambridge (assuming you even have a chance.) what a dilemma -- NOT!!!</p>
<p>Maybe it's just me, but this post doesn't make much sense.</p>
<p>I too personally lean toward studying in England. You have another year to do internships, and I believe that a year abroad is personally far more enriching than a year working for an on-campus student organization. The people I've met who've gone abroad have much broader world views and are more "interesting" than those who haven't.</p>
<p>But, here's my answers, point-by-point:</p>
<p>1) Won't make a lick of difference.
2) This gets harder. You might have to take a quick flight home. Thankfully, flights across the pond aren't that expensive.
3) Oxford. But do try for an internship anyway. I did both abroad and an internship, and both have been very useful.</p>
<p>everything: You're simply too witty. I can't compete.</p>
<p>Wildflower: 1) In other words, what is the "opportunity cost" of leaving, first, minor leadership positions (secretary, treasurer, etc.) and, two, sacrificing the potential of having a high position (VP, President)? I believe there is an answer to that question. That is why I'm asking it.</p>
<p>3.) Again, the same criterion applies. I'm not concerned with cultural enrichment. If I was, then it would be a no-brainer: Oxford/Cambridge takes the cake. I'm concerned with getting a top finance job upon graduation. It is a real dilemma.</p>
<p>And, no offense, but I think it is just you. The post makes sense.</p>
<p>UCLAri: Thanks for the response. You've made some good points, and I have some follow-up questions.</p>
<p>1) Are you saying leadership doesn't mean anything when it comes to landing i-banking or management consulting internships/jobs?
3) Are you saying studying abroad means more than a top internship?</p>
<p>Thanks man.</p>
<p>Dcfca: Hey, I appreciate the response. I sent you a message for a quick clarification.</p>
<p>But that is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. You're dead-on about what I want. </p>
<p>I thought I made what I wanted very clear. Perhaps I was wrong. I want that i-banking or consulting OFFER. Nothing more, nothing less. My post is all about how to get there, and the opportunity costs of different choices.</p>
<p>1) I got some good internship offers during my time as an undergrad, and never had any campus leadership positions.
3) Study abroad is an opportunity to grow as a human being. If you're doing it just to add to your resume, then don't bother. It's a financial burden, and will just make you worry more about your (in my opinion) silly job concerns. I don't mean to make light of your career goals, but little tiny worries like getting one internship over another when faced with the opportunity to become an international superstar are just absurd.</p>
<p>I'm posting again to keep this thing on track. Someone has to, or else this post on the effect of studying abroad on i-banking and consulting offers will spiral into a discussion on Hurricane Katrina. That tends to happen here.</p>
<p>Again, UCLAri, I respect what you're doing, but this is the Business Forum. It is not a place to make moral judgments. It's a place to discuss business. Not philosophy, or the correct moral path. If you believe my job concerns and internship goals are petty, that is fine, but that's neither here nor there.</p>
<p>I understand that. I'm just trying to give you perspective here:</p>
<p>The opportunity to show to future employers that you have international experience is incredible, and likely will help develop you into a marketable commodity much more than, "I was treasurer for CU's Democrats."</p>
<p>"And, no offense, but I think it is just you. The post makes sense"</p>
<p>Non-taken -- but it's not me. more than 100 people read your post and only 4 replied with very basic info. So, although the post is perfectly readable, it doesn't really "make sense." I-banking is not something that is guaranteed based on what you do, and quite frankly what you ask would turn off many people (including interviewers.)</p>
<p>Going to Oxford or Cambridge is an amazing opportunity and to compare that with mediocre leadership is absurd. If by cost, you mean money, you will be of course much better staying. If by cost, you mean "what will benefit me the most when looking for an I-Banking on consulting job," I would say England all the way. Then again, if you have connections none of this will really matter. </p>
<p>And as dfca said, the summer internship is very important -- especially if you plan to work for the company you are doing the intership with.</p>
<p>I think what the poster is mainly asking is this -- when it comes time to apply for fulltime offers, where is he better off? A summer abroad program with Oxford or a summer internship.</p>
<p>If it's like that, i'm going to say the internship. Fact of the matter is, if you can do the internship and get noticed, you'll have an easier time getting the full time offer.</p>
<p>That's not to say that people who don't do summer internships can't get jobs. It's just that it's easier this way.</p>