Qatalyst Partners

Investment Banking Summer Analyst

June - August 2023 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

At Qatalyst, I had an unparalleled experience in Technology M&A. I was provided with hands-on opportunities that significantly enhanced my skill set. Being entrusted with critical deliverables made me feel like an integral part of the team. Additionally, the firm's emphasis on mentorship was evident, allowing me to consistently ask questions and evaluate my progress throughout the summer.

What I wish was different

While the midterm feedback was beneficial, more consistent detailed guidance throughout the summer would have been advantageous. Nevertheless, I always felt comfortable seeking advice from my teams and mentors on how I could enhance my performance.

Advice

The summer analyst internship at Qatalyst offers vast learning opportunities. Approach it with an open mind, invest time in getting to know your colleagues, and prioritize consistent communication with your team.

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Investment Banking Summer Analyst

June - August 2023 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

Working at Qatalyst allowed me to gain unparalleled experience in technology M&A while getting exposure to senior management teams. I felt like I got to do real work while forming close relationships with other members of the firm.

What I wish was different

I wish there were some more official channels to receive feedback and progress on how I was doing throughout the summer. Sometimes it was tough to get a complete picture of where I could improve. Nevertheless, I felt very comfortable reaching out to people I worked with at all levels (analysts, associates, and others), so this was mitigated to a point.

Advice

The Qatalyst internship is an incredible opportunity that I wouldn't trade for anything, and I'd say to get the most out of it, you need first and foremost to walk in with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. This will go a very long way with your colleagues.

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Investment Banking Summer Analyst

June - August 2023 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

As an intern, Qatalyst provided me the opportunity to engage in meaningful work on live projects. Throughout the internship, I was entrusted with creating new deliverables and worked directly with analyst members of the team up to the MD level, responsibilities that made me feel both valued and important to the team's success. I felt that those I worked with became my informal mentors, who invested in my development and were very willing to answer any questions I had. A highlight of the internship for me was the partner chats. During the internship, each partner at the firm invited the interns and new first-year analysts to an intimate lunch Q&A chat in which they spoke about their background, how they ended up in banking, and their current role/subsector. It was fascinating to learn the career trajectories of senior leaders at the firm and hear their unique perspectives on M&A activity in their sector. In addition to the partner chats, I valued Qatalyst's effort to extend camaraderie beyond the workplace through frequent firmwide social events. I appreciated the firm providing avenues to connect with members of the team in a more casual setting.

What I wish was different

While the midterm feedback session was greatly beneficial, I also valued receiving feedback directly from the analysts and associates with whom I worked closely. Establishing a more personalized avenue for these conversations, beyond formal channels, led to additional insights and constructive criticism to improve upon during the internship.

Advice

I believe effective communication is crucial to success in the internship. Managing concurrent workstreams can be challenging, but it helps to maintain an open line of communication with all of your teams by making them aware of your current workstreams and priorities.

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Investment Banking Summer Analyst

June - August 2022 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

Qatalyst provided me with significant hands-on work experience that I felt was unique to the industry. I felt trusted by the team to take ownership on several deliverables that were directly sent to clients. I was also able to listen in on calls, interact directly with clients, and spectate higher level buyer-management interactions, which helped me to exercise my own critical thinking. The Qatalyst team placed significance on mentorship, putting in place both structured and unstructured means in which I could receive feedback and ask questions openly. Taken together, due to the great professional development and strong sense of community, I really enjoyed my experience and look forward to returning.

What I wish was different

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my internship with Qatalyst. I wish that there had been more official forms of feedback throughout the summer, as I got more thorough feedback only towards the end. However, I felt comfortable reaching out to team members I worked more directly with to get honest and helpful feedback more immediately so that I could continue to learn and improve throughout the summer.

Advice

My one piece of advice would be to come into the internship with an open mind – knowing that you have lots left to learn from anyone and everyone – but also with the willingness to try to learn things quickly and figure things out for yourself.

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