How do people get sophomore internships at BB/LO AM/MF?
I am a current freshman at a semi-target (Emory/UNC/Rice/USC) and I secured an internship for 2024 summer doing co-invest PE at a ~13B. I've seen a lot of sophomores go into things like capital markets or global markets research at BB, private credit/debt at huge funds like Ares and Neuberger, and even get into LO at Dodge & Cox/Harris Associates/Wellington type shops. From looking at linkedin, it seems totally feasible to get into BB/huge and reputable shops as a sophomore, and I've seen quite a few at SocGen/BNP as well.
I was wondering how sophomores end up getting summer positions at these kinds of firms? When so many of the applications are 2026 grad only, how can I try to secure a similar position for 2025 summer? Is it too late? I am just wondering how I can navigate the process as a freshman to secure a solid 2025 summer internship at a reputable shop and was wondering if I am too late to the process.
I understand how it works for recruiting for junior summer, but don't really have much clarity on the process for sophomore summer.
Ah, the hustle for those prime sophomore summer internships! Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how you can swing from the trees right into those coveted positions:
Networking: This is the jungle vine of the finance world. Start reaching out to alumni from your school who work at the firms you're interested in. LinkedIn is your friend here. Remember, it's about building genuine relationships, not just asking for a job.
Sophomore Programs: Some BBs, LO AMs, and MFs have specific programs for sophomores. Keep an eye on their careers pages and forums like WSO for announcements. Timing is key, so start looking early in your freshman year.
Leverage Your Current Internship: Doing co-invest PE is a great start. Use this experience to show you have relevant skills and are serious about finance.
Cold Emailing/Cold Calling: It might seem daunting, but reaching out directly to professionals at your target firms can lead to opportunities that aren't advertised. Be concise, professional, and show your enthusiasm.
Follow Up: If you've made a connection or sent an application, don't be afraid to follow up. Just don't go bananas with it – nobody likes to be pestered too much.
Prepare for Interviews: Start prepping for technical questions and polishing your story. The WSO Interview Guide can be a goldmine for this.
Stay Informed: Keep up with market trends and understand the roles you're applying for. This will help you in networking conversations and interviews.
It's not too late to start for summer 2025. Many students secure their sophomore internships in the fall of their sophomore year, but the earlier you start preparing and networking, the better. Keep swinging, and you might just land that dream internship!
Sources: How to Obtain a Sophomore Summer Boutique IB Internship, 2018 Sophomore Summer Analyst Recruiting Megathread Page, Can we get a list going of sophomore summer 2019 programs/internships? (Confused), How to Obtain a Sophomore Summer Boutique IB Internship, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/consulting/internship-for-sophomore-year?customgpt=1
Congrats on UNC!
That’s the best of those schools lol
No it’s not. Very good school though. Emory and USC are better in general. There might be banks and groups where UNC has more presence but in general it’s slightly below. For example EB recruiting is specialized and prestige based more than BB and Emory/usc(especially Emory in this case) are stronger.
bump
Diversity obv is p big through program like girls who invest. Nepo plays a role, there are very few options without these
Are these sophs at your school or just random people? Most of these elite soph jobs go to diversity students, people with insane connections or target school students. Your average white dude from a semi-target has very little shot at these roles as a sophomore.
I wouldn't get too worried about these. You have a great freshman internship, try and network into something for next summer (start networking soph fall, the BB soph apps open in the summer but the rest of it won't happen until later) but your focus should be on junior year as that's the most important. You don't need one of these moonshot names to get something solid for junior year.
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