Intern Ettiquette
I am interning in IB in 2 months. I have previously had internships in the industry where I have performed well and had great feedback but with a mask (to a reasonable extent) of who I actually am. I am willing to grind as hard as needed for the conversion and put my efforts in but I honestly don't give a shit to be overly corporate (still being a nice polite person).
I can't be bothered being fake and am thinking my jokes and how I speak (slang from the way I was raised) may result in me not getting the conversion. Am I being retarded for not just shutting up and being a corporate person and watching everything I say?
I don't see an MD as special relative to an analyst or the cleaner or the security. There's no difference in respect that should be given to either. Both should be treated equally and I hate to be in an environment where people do treat people different on such dumb shit.
Thanks for your opinions.
Navigating the corporate culture of investment banking (IB) can indeed be challenging, especially when your personal style doesn't naturally align with the traditional corporate environment. Based on the insights from Wall Street Oasis, here are some key points to consider:
Professionalism is Key: Even if you prefer a more relaxed demeanor, maintaining a level of professionalism is crucial in IB. This doesn't mean you have to suppress your personality entirely, but being mindful of how you present yourself and communicate can impact your relationships and opportunities within the firm.
Respect Hierarchies While Being Authentic: It's important to respect the hierarchical structure in IB, not necessarily because one role is more valuable than another, but because these structures often dictate workflow and decision-making processes. You can still treat everyone with equal respect, from MDs to support staff, but understanding the professional boundaries and expectations associated with each role will be beneficial.
Adapt Your Communication Style: While it’s important to be yourself, adapting your communication style to fit more formal or corporate settings can be advantageous. This doesn’t mean abandoning your unique traits or humor, but perhaps moderating how and when you choose to express them.
Feedback and Adaptation: Since you've received positive feedback in previous internships, it might be helpful to continue soliciting feedback actively in your new role. This can provide insights into how well your approach is being received and whether any adjustments might be necessary.
Cultural Fit and Personal Values: Finally, consider the cultural fit. While it’s important to adapt, you also need to feel comfortable in your workplace. If the cultural discrepancies are too vast, it might be worth considering whether this environment will truly suit your long-term career and personal satisfaction.
Remember, the goal is to find a balance where you can be true to yourself while still fitting into the professional standards expected in IB. This balance will not only help in securing a return offer but also ensure that you feel authentic in your professional interactions.
Sources: How to fit in IB culture - advice needed, Why do people not get return offers?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/4-big-picture-things-i-shouldve-known-before-my-ib-internship-covid-19?customgpt=1, 7 Tips for the Boutique IB Summer Stint, How I plan to be an exceptional Summer Analyst next year
Completely agree with the point that MDs shouldn’t be treated with a level of respect different from Analysts. Everyone should receive the same level of respect. That being said, not sure what that has to do with your point on being “fake” by acting appropriately and watching what you say in an office setting. If you respect everyone, as you said, should be easy to speak politely without feeling forced. If this is just being used as an excuse to speak crassly in the name of “keeping it real” then I’d advise against it.
This is not an "intern" thing. This is a corporate/professional setting thing. You're not going to be coming into work speaking like you would to a dealer (not assuming anything, just an example). It's not about faking your personality (slang is not your personality), it's just conducting yourself professionally.
That being said, am I a bit more loose around my analyst class/at some drinks? Absolutely. I still use plenty of slang, swear etc. Am I going to talk to my manager like that during work hours? Absolutely fucking not. But I can definitely still joke with my manager. It's about being appropriate and knowing your audience.
There's no harm in being a 'corporate person' because that's what is required of a client-facing role; the same way how you wouldn't want to call up your bank and have a roadman on the other end discussing your life savings with you. The way you write out doesn't give any indicator of your use of slang so stick to that.
You may benefit from Dale Carnegie / Toastmasters. How you speak is important - learn how to speak properly and effectively. This will help you in more ways than one.
Nutmegger nailed this.
It's not about being fake, it's about being a professional. You don't act in work like you do around your mates at the pub. I sadly can't tell some other MD or D that is pissing me off to "F*ck off" or some useless analyst that they are a "wasteman". That's not how the world works in jobs. Nothing about being corporate, you couldn't do this at a start up either.
Respect is for everyone, I've disciplined juniors for disrespecting each other and support staff before. When I was at Jeffeties there was a big issue around the London M&A team juniors being abusive to support staff and cleaners and senior management had to step in as the group Seniors didn't handle it.
Wherever you work, it's a job. Be a professional. I would recommend for your own safety keeping jokes out the office. Whilst I like my junior bankers with a sense of humour, others will use it against you and often we can't protect you from HR being the annoying cretins they are.
Yes the cleaners on your floor are equally as human as your MDs, but they won't be the ones to decide whether or not you come back. So it's important for your strengths to shine through to your seniors - you can think of them as your client. Now think about how you would want someone to treat/act around you if you were the client...hopefully you see my point. This isn't about being too "real" to be corporate, it's about showing your client that you care, and will go above and beyond for them. If your team can't see that side of you, you probably won't be coming back. Simple as.
This post reflects a dumb line of thinking espoused by Gen Z’s and sometimes Millennials. It all boils down to misguided thoughts around being your “authentic self” or not “code switching”.
Let’s do a thought exercise. Do you talk to or interact with your grandma the same way as with your friends? How about your parents? What about a 10 year old?
Don’t let this BS internal conflict around being “fake” impact your career. You already shift your speech/behaviors for different groups of people.
Disagree. Everyone knows you have to taint suck to be successful in this field. Being "professional" among colleagues is the most idiotic thing part of the corporate world. It just means be fake and suck up. I'll lick the taint of the client all day, but not my VP. MD fine.
Also, we're all adults. I should be able to say fuck and make jokes but nooooo. That would be "unprofessional."
This is a very low EQ take.
Either that or you're very frustrated at your current situation.
Being professional does not mean sucking up but rather showing respect. As it relates your career advancement, you have to sequentially gain more respect over time. Being spineless =\= respectful. In fact, you’ll lose respect if you show zero backbone. Yes, there will always be politics and aligning yourself with the right people is important, but if you reduce yourself to being known as a felliatiating and overly agreeable person, you will not get far most places.
Felt the same way coming in. Honestly though, you’ll have to fall into the culture and respect the hierarchy. Sadly you have no power as a SA, and will need to feed into the corporate bs to be successful long term. If you want to maintain your authenticity, then IB isn’t for you. Seniors think their authentic but have been programmed to be authentically fake.
so fkn true. Every MD I meet is a robot trained to be charismatic
agree that code switching is super gay but tbh if you’re good at your job and build relationships with the seniors they’re often more casual and helpful than the mid levels and some of the uptight juniors. Just don’t act like you’re at your local college bar, and you’re good.
Are you Patrick Bateman?
Based on your comment, I find it hard to believe that you will be successful.
You wear a tie and no shirt. Then just walk backwards on the floor. No eye contact ur entire summer
Make sure to tip your MD 10% of your total comp. Remember that without him you have no job at all
Atque nam fuga reiciendis quisquam consequatur qui. Nostrum enim suscipit sit libero consequatur. Laboriosam odio dolore reprehenderit dolor molestias veniam.
Quia repellendus totam assumenda vel quaerat. Ut ipsa ullam rerum velit cum nihil. Optio ex dolorum provident assumenda repellat. Deserunt inventore molestiae sunt nam est beatae enim. Dicta nesciunt non est sunt omnis.
Omnis fugiat dolore officia aut occaecati fuga alias. Ab fuga voluptates distinctio enim voluptas. Reprehenderit consequatur autem repellendus quibusdam. Officia error in aspernatur nulla.
Qui nemo fugiat et vel. Et aliquam provident facilis quam dolores et id. Laudantium quos sit error at. Ut fuga eaque tempore rem suscipit quas voluptatem. Consectetur dolorem fugiat excepturi est quia excepturi voluptatem voluptas. Sapiente et voluptas eum natus ut quae quia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...