Summer Analyst Review

GS offered us a great opportunity to first-hand experience a sample of what working in IBD really is like. We had the chance to work on 2 different teams across the division. At any point there was always a number of people at all levels, from analyst to MD, that we could speak to about our work / overall experience / career by and large. The entire team put in a lot of effort to make sure we have a full experience and get a clear, honest view of the firm and the work. Great experience and an amazing introduction to a great career.

We were treated like full-fledged members of the team, and in quite a few cases we had the same responsibilities (if more day-to-day support and supervision) as analysts.

We had lots of support at all levels, from an analyst "buddy" to a VP "mentor". Senior directors would always strive to find time if we needed advice. At no time would I feel I had no one to ask for support/help/guidance.

It varied, depending on how busy the whole team was. There were some very busy periods (hours that you'd expect in IB) but also quieter days. By and large, with few exceptions, if the team had work to be done, the interns would surely be kept busy as well.

Depended on the deal team. As an intern with no previous relevant experience, I was initially given very little responsibility, but this changed rapidly as I learned on the job. Eventually, on some teams in the most busy periods I almost entirely took over from the analyst. On others, I would be given mostly the admin/research work. Overall, interns were almost always treated very seriously and given as much responsibility as they could take given their abilities/knowledge.

I definitely significantly developed my soft skills. My knowledge of what IBD is about and what it looks like on the inside definitely expanded exponentially. The internship was too short to substantially improve my understanding on e.g. accounting / corporate finance in general.

Very friendly, but also very busy and intense. Depending on the team it can get more or less social.

Lots of support from various levels/teams and overall very good organisation.

We were essentially treated like first-year analyst in terms of pay/perks (late-night cabs, late-evening dinners etc.) with a substantial support network.

I received an accepted a full-time offer - I would not go anywhere else. The best place to be for IB.

Yes, but we were very busy and had very different personal schedules so ususally I would find it difficult to spend much time with other interns.

Central London is one of the most expensive places in the world for both living and socialising. That said, we were paid very decent salary so this wasn't a problem.

In London you can pick and choose. GS office is not really in the middle of a partying area but Shoreditch is just a brief cab ride away.

There wasn't really time for that.