No experience, NEED ADVICE
Short version: - A sophomore (international student) at a good science-tech schools (MIT or Caltech), good gpa (In 4.3 scale, 4.1). - originally planned to go to a grad school but very recently changed my mind - has no related experience in finance
- In this summer, what should I do?! Research?? Look for an internship?? what can help me getting a good IB intern next summer?Hi,
Introducing myself first,
I'm currently a sophomore at a science-tech focused school. While I was planning to major in science and go to a grad school, I recently changed my mind, majorly because I hated those tedious works and was sick and tired of daily failures in my works, which are very common in research. Hence, I wanted to switch my career, possibly into finance.
My original plan was to research over this summer. I have a research position accepted in my school (decent paying job). As I changed my mind very recently, I did not apply to any internship. I am applying to a lot of places now, but most of them are unpaid jobs, or not related works and I am very uncertain of finding one this summer.
I want to get an internship in a good IB next summer and, eventually, my goal is to get a job on wall street. I know that there are many adversaries (started late, international student etc.) to overcome.
What should I do? Should I keep looking for an internship for this summer? Would it be impossible to get a good internship next summer if I do not have any work experience?? Is there any good website that still has some positions available?
Thank you so much!
Thank you all.
@SenseOfUrgency : I am really worried about it too (of not loving the works). My plan was to experience possibly through internship. And I agree too; my English skills are very very poor. I guess IB requires good writing skill.
@West Coast rainmaker: thanks! I will sincerely consider being a quant as an option
@SenseOfUrgency: Yes I am from Korea. Due to my nationality,I have to join army for two years and this hampers me changing my career to IB (At least if I stay in science, I can do research in Korea and that can substitute my mandatory military service).
Yet one major reason that made me to not love science is that I really need to get used to failures... Although I am worried about failing or staying as a mediocre person in IB too (not to mention that I have to serve in military, that I started late, and, the worst of all, the case when i end up with hating the IB work), I think it really worth a try. I LOVE competitions (winning at least), and the finance is the most competitive field. Although I do not love money so much and now really wonder whether a job in finance will make me happy, it fits well with my interest.
Currently, I am looking for an intern in both Korea and the US. I hope I can find one soon.
And again, thank you SO MUCH for all your helps and suggestions. =D
If you're a Korean international student, don't you have plenty of 빽 back home?
I know plenty of friends who ended up interning at 미래, Goldman, JPMorgan, Credit Suisse, Petra, etc just because of their parents.
You should aim for that and try to intern during the school year so that people know you're not a fob who can't interact in American society.
I know a couple of 복학생s who end up at bulge bracket banks after they come back from their army stint. I heard their military experience actually helps them because ex-military bankers like them a lot.
If I were you, and you were serious about banking, I think I would intern in Korea this summer at a top bank/fund, then go to the army after this summer. Come back in two years, intern in the fall in the States (either part-time during school or 휴학) while networking with both alumni and ex-military bankers.
Timing of your military service is really important. You need to go before your junior year internship because FT recruiting is terrible lately. You need to get an SA at a top bank then get a FT/leverage that.
With your gpa, a Korean finance internship, an American finance internship, and networking, you should be solid for junior year recruiting.
@kidflash: I am looking for an internship using 빽! (I guess you are a korean too?) Although it's not an internship, my dad helped me getting an interview at one good IB as a helper. (Should I take this offer? I first need to get a job but I am worried about just not learning anything in the place as it's not an internship offer)
I am planning to go to army soon too. I'm quite glad that going to army helps somewhat, although I quite worried about getting dumb after not studying for 2 yrs. If I join the military (w/ 1 yr and 9 months), I hope I can have sufficient time to intern once more.
And thank you SO MUCH for your advice! I really appreciate it!!
Honestly, korean internships are bullshit anyway. I interned in consulting at big 4 korea, and all i did was go on facebook from 9 am to 6 pm every day. I occasionally translated english-korea/korean-english.
Take the IB "helper," spin it as an internship. Head out to the army this fall, come back and try to do an unpaid internship in the fall before junior year spring. I don't know how Visa issues and shit work for paid internships cause i'm korean american, but you should be able to do an unpaid internship at a small shop if you network enough with alumni. Keep your 4.0+ gpa and you should be solid.
I can't stress networking enough. Most korean kids at top schools are awkward as fuck, and that's why a lot of them don't even get interviews. If you network before, it's going to help you a lot.
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