Summer Internship - Is finance/hard science degree required?

When/How do you land these? Obviously good grades and what-not, but other then that is there anything that really makes one candidate more exceptional than another? Is a finance/hard science degree required or can us BA people make it as well?

4 Comments
 

Do some research on the other forums.

BA people do fine, especially from targets.

GPA is significant. 3.6+ usually puts you in the "I probably shouldn't be self-conscious about it" zone. 3.7+ puts you in the "probably okay enough" zone.

Research the industry (you're obviously trying if you have an account on this site). Read some of the classics (Liar's Poker, When Genius Failed, etc...)

Network heavily. Get on the phone with at least a few alums.

Construct a badass resume.

Thoroughly prepare for your interviews.

 

I'm a bit confused on the "network heavily" part and the "badass resume." Obviously a resume is a resume right? Sure I have work experience, but really nothing financial related. Are alums readily open to talking with you?

 
Best Response

Re: Badass resume -- One individual could write two resumes (same pool of experiences/achievements) and make one of those resumes amazing and the other total garbage. There are tons of resources out there about writing a strong resume. You should think hard about this.

Re: Networking -- Many alums are interested in helping undergrads (obviously, not All will be). If you have done a reasonable amount of homework on the industry and approach them politely and with consideration, you should have some luck. Alum conversations A) may give you a pal on the inside, B) may lead to other introductions within the firm, C) may lead to giving you a "push" in HR (ie. increasing your chance of getting an interview) and D) enable you to namedrop during interviews.

Re: Timing -- Most IB summer internship recruiting takes place between mid January and early March.

 

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