London IB vs Switzerland PE internship

Hello guys, I would like to ask you for some advice on junior career progression.

I'm in a very fortunate position where I have two internship offers; one from an EB in London (Laz/EVR/Rth) doing regional coverage of Eastern Europe (M&A, IPO, etc.), and one in Switzerland from a large private bank's PE arm.

I'm more interested in PE but the firm in question mostly does FoF; do you think it's better to do a stint in banking and attempt to break into a more traditional shop down the line? Also do you think regional coverage from the IB internship will pigeonhole me? Would appreciate any opinions and inputs, thank you

 

Hey there, you're in a great position with two fantastic offers!

If you're more interested in PE, the Swiss internship could be a good stepping stone, even if it's mostly FoF. It could give you a solid understanding of the PE landscape, which could be beneficial when trying to break into a more traditional shop down the line.

On the other hand, the London EB internship could provide a broader experience in terms of deal types (M&A, IPO, etc.) and potentially more transaction exposure. Regional coverage won't necessarily pigeonhole you. In fact, it could make you more attractive to certain firms or roles in the future, especially those with a focus on Eastern Europe.

Ultimately, it depends on where you see yourself in the long run. If you're certain about PE, the Swiss internship could be the way to go. If you're still exploring or if you want a more varied experience, the London EB might be a better fit.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer here. It's about what feels right for you and aligns with your career goals. Good luck with your decision!

Sources: Pros and Cons of internships abroad, PE vs HF in London, pros & cons

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Hey there, you're in a great position with two fantastic offers!

If you're more interested in PE, the Swiss internship could be a good stepping stone. However, keep in mind that FoF is quite different from direct investing, so if you're looking to break into a traditional PE shop down the line, the banking stint might provide more relevant experience.

As for the regional coverage concern, it's not necessarily a bad thing. It could actually make you more attractive to firms that deal with Eastern Europe. But if you're worried about being pigeonholed, the Swiss PE internship might offer a broader experience.

In the end, it's about what you feel will give you the best experience and aligns most with your career goals. Both options have their pros and cons, so weigh them carefully. Good luck with your decision!

Sources: Pros and Cons of internships abroad

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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