Pros
Due to the disruption of the financial services industry during the financial crisis, I have worked at a few firms ranging from regional commercial banks to a top tier New York based investment bank. The reality is that you can be successful at any platform. You just have to decide how you want to compete and win and what that looks like for you. As I stumbled upon Piper, I found the firm to be well-led, entrepreneurial and highly competitive. There is a focus on delivering value for clients and being candid advisors. We compete and win the right way. When combined with the collaborative and collegial internal culture, Piper has been a great home for my career over the last decade plus with no plans for change. Piper is very successful in many areas but it’s not always clear because we operate with a relative sense of modesty. Don’t overlook an opportunity at Piper for this reason. I know that for many, work life balance is a key driver of career fulfillment. I have found that at some other shops, there’s a focus on the appearance of work versus actual effectiveness. Piper emphasizes competence and effectiveness over appearances. If you want to be valued based on your competence and you have a family or aspire to have a family, you can certainly have tremendous success at Piper without needing to sacrifice unduly. Without question, a great firm to have a very fulfilling career and family life or to kickstart a career (as opposed to a job).
Cons
Just like any firm, you want to make sure that you are getting into the right groups and teams as not all teams at all firms are strong or are optimal for your own strengths and weaknesses.