PWM Internship after Freshman Year

If this post seems redundant, I do apologize. I'm just trying my best to gain as much information as possible to increase my chances of getting into IBD.

I am entering college this fall at an (Ivy) target school and I've been using Google/WallStreetOasis to research any possible internship opportunities for next summer. I've been reading a lot about how PWM internships tend to be available for freshmen, particularly at places like Merrill Lynch and UBS. I live in NYC, so reaching these banks should not be an issue. How difficult is it to actually get an internship at these places? Has it helped increase your chances of recruitment for IBD? Also, I've seen people mention that these PWM tend to not be very structured. Are there any alternatives?

 
Best Response

It's very easy to find one of these and you are correct in your assumption that recruitment isn't structured.

As for alternatives -- personally, I had the opportunity to work in portfolio management at a REIT so I took that instead given the fact that there was a lot more value in the internship with respect to analytic work being performed. However, had I not been given that opportunity I would've opted for PWM.

It doesn't help extensively in IB recruiting as you'll be doing a bunch of lame database and cold calling work during the majority of your internship. The reason people do it is to get experience in an office setting and show interest in markets/finance + the job forces you to keep up-to-date with current events and financial news.

"Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman." -- George Soros
 

Enim a error beatae dolor nesciunt molestiae aut. Expedita odit rerum esse dolores quam. Deleniti eveniet necessitatibus voluptatibus mollitia molestias. Tenetur cumque nihil aliquid sunt doloremque et. Sint error cum atque. Dolor pariatur rerum enim provident quod iusto nam.

Dolores sequi voluptatem sit aut. Molestiae est veritatis eum dolores quae aspernatur nemo deserunt. Doloribus ea quae non nihil non fugit. Nam dolor voluptatum dolor autem harum quaerat provident. Facere deserunt totam sed cum porro vitae est velit.

"Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman." -- George Soros

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”