How to tackle the Sophomore Internship Search
I'm currently a sophomore in the Dyson School (AEM) at Cornell University. I've worked at multiple small consulting firms prior to this year; however, I truly want to work in IB/M&A. Unfortunately, I am not eligible for all of these diversity IB programs, thus I am seeking advice on how to tackle the sophomore internship search. Any advice would be appreciated.
Getting a sophomore internship from target (Originally Posted: 12/26/2011)
So I am a sophomore from a top target (think HPW) with a 4.0 and no prior relevant work experience (I have done mostly science-related stuff my last few summers). I do study finance in addition to biochem tho. I guess I just don't really know how to go about trying to get internships if you wanna eventually get a job in IBD. In addition to applying to those long-shot BB SA positions, what are some other good places to look for finance-related summer internships?
Most BBs have sophomore level positions. Check when is the deadline to apply for these.
Sophomore deadlines are soon. I know BAML's deadline already passed. Try MMs and Boutiques as well or S&T at a BB
^you mentioned S&T at a BB, is it because its easier than getting an IBD gig at a BB?
Sophomore deadlines are over.
Most on-campus deadlines for sophomore programs are in the next two weeks. I did a BB summer as a sophomore, PM me if you have questions.
I may be wrong but looking at these when I was a sophomore that vast majoriy of BB programs open to sophomores are reserved for diversity candidates. That said with a 4.0 from a target you could probably get into the regular SA program as a sophomore provided you do some networking.
Don't worry about getting a BB position this summer though. Get something at a boutique (even if unpaid), you'll get good experience, probably work better hours, and set yourself up just fine for a BB program next year.
Sophomore (Target) Internships... (Originally Posted: 11/06/2012)
Hey guys, I am currently a sophomore at Columbia reading Economics. I have a 3.6 GPA and some relevant finance/research experience.
So here's the deal, I see most people saying that freshmen/sophomore are able to land PWM jobs in BAML or Morgan Stanley -- is this true? I just ransacked their websites and all of them says "expected graduation in June 2014" is a minimum requirement. Will they consider me if I'm graduating in 2015>?
(Or more specifically, is it okay to "twist the truth" about your graduation date?)
Also, what other "easier to get in" divisions would you recommend a sophomore to apply to? (I know IBD is near impossible) Would Investment Management/Global Capital Markets/Finance/Risk Management/Fixed Income be viable?
Thanks!
bump
I don't think you should "twist" your graduate date as some companies do plan to give offers to juniors and as sophomore, I don't think companies would want to wait. I am a sophomore as well. I believe one reason they want to hire juniors is due to the higher classes they took.
With that being said, I do believe freshman and sophomores could land a PWM jobs. In Texas, PWM jobs are normally filled by sophomores. Maybe you could contact the HR dept in the office close to you? Do you have any working experience?
Yeah I do have some experience. But what worries me is that they specifically mentioned that they want people who are "expected" to graduate in 2014. Should I even bother applying? (This is Morgan Stanley PWM btw)
Try calling them first. Also if you have alumni working in that office, use that connection
You have been misinformed. I managed to get a boutique IBD internship sophomore year.
if you cant get into IB, do Corporate Banking (not commercial bankin) or Capital Markets divisions
Alright guys, thanks! I guess I can still apply even if it states "current Junior" in minimum requirement. Am going to try BAML and Morgan Stanley, maybe Barclays.
Getting an IBD/PE internship as a sophomore (Originally Posted: 08/10/2013)
I'm going into my sophomore year at a top 15 LAC, and i'm looking to get a jumpstart for next year. Ultimately, I want to land an internship doing IB or PE for the summer. Is it my best bet to just start networking (read: cold-emailing) alums asking them questions about their field, then gradually trying to steer the conversation towards internships? also: i'm a URM if that means anything
badumpbumbumbump
Summer Internship - Sophmore at a target looking for suggestions (Originally Posted: 12/22/2012)
I'm a sophomore at a target and am looking for suggestions on what finance internships I could look for that would be around 6 weeks this summer. I'm planning on doing LSE for the latter half of the summer, but would appreciate more experience in finance for the first half. I'm from charlotte which does have finance opportunities but I wouldn't limit the search to just this city. I have a solid (3.7+) gpa, and I did an internship at a very small boutique ibank the previous summer.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
By only having six weeks, you're basically eliminating the possibility of interning with any sort of large firm with an organized program. Any chance you could go for traditional sophomore placements and forgo the LSE program entirely? That'll open up a lot of other doors.
Doing LSE would allow me to knock out two more core classes on a pass/fail basis that would ultimately help my gpa and act as my study abroad experience since I would then stay at my target during the fall. Which do you think is more valuable, a .1 bump on my gpa and studying abroad? Or a more organized internship?
Organized internship, assuming you can land one.
research internship sophomore summer (Originally Posted: 04/03/2007)
as a sophomore at a LAC i want to get some experience with some sort of internship for this summer. obviously all the BB summer internships and whatnot go to juniors/rising seniors. i have been lookin at internships for this summer and one of the ones is a research internship for a company that does research for the Department of Transportation (the job would require use of economic analysis, a lot of stuff that'd help with finance). My basic question is: should I take this research internship for this summer (if i get in) or should I stick to some sort of finance internship where I wouldnt really be doing much except working as a secretary at some regional boutique? would the research internship ultimately increase my chances of a BB internship NEXT summer, or would it be better to be a glorified secretary at a regional boutique? thanks for your help
I think if you got an internship at a regional boutique it would be a lot more than being a secretary and it would be more impressive on your resume than driving buses.
A lot of people have told me that a huge part of interships is networking, so even if the internship is just a lot of secretarial work you may still meet people there that can help you out with a job after the internship, id say take the secretarial work if that is what it comes down to
right.. and bitcoin investing is far superior to all type of investing by this logic...
Getting SA offers as a sophomore (Originally Posted: 10/23/2014)
How does one go about "circumventing" company policy of only hiring juniors?
I've been reaching out to alumni, doing informational calls, and getting great feedback - as well as getting my resume forwarded to HR. Only problem is, my contacts make it explicitly clear that their company only hires juniors (they still forward resume), or I get a reply from HR with the same message. These are for MM banks.
What do I do for next summer? My past work experiences makes me overqualified for a random IB boutique, but my graduation date automatically disqualifies me from anything I am fully qualified for. I'm a non-diverse candidate, so no BB diversity programs will take me.
On the same note, anyone know of well-regarded banks that DO hire sophomores?
Most BBs and EBs hire sophomores I believe.
I know the BBs definitely do, but for diverse candidates - women, LGBT, URM. I don't have the family connections needed to get a sophomore BB gig as a White/Asian male.
I'm a non-URM who interned at a BB as a sophomore. It all comes down to your own networking and luck, honestly.
There are always several sophomores in my BB that aren't from a diversity program.
Sophomore BB internships are landed through diversity programs or lead referrals. Network strong and hard and it's very doable. Superdays run through at least February.
The MM I worked at had one sophomore intern, def through connections though.
Non-Target School Sophomore/Pre-Junior Internship & Career Advice Needed (Originally Posted: 02/05/2015)
So I'm looking for some general guidance here as I essentially have little to no idea what I'm doing. I'm a 3rd year (out of 5) Finance and Economics double major at a non-target school. I believe that I want to go into IB (specifically M&A or ECM), but haven't been able to have any success. To preface, here is my background:
-3.96 GPA in college -8 months at a private hedge fund as an Investment Analyst (Global markets reach with $500 million AUM, equity research, ETFs, MFs, etc.) We were quite a conservative "hedge fund" as you can tell, but I learned a great deal in financial and business modeling -Heavily involved student (VP & prev. treasurer of 100 member fraternity, president of low-teir Investment Banking Club, and a few other campus orgs)
Since early November, I have been cold-emailing and applying to an estimated 150+ boutique IBs, investment management firms, etc., but less than 10 hits. Out of those 10, nothing has really evolved. My only real opportunity was a phone interview with JP Morgan's Sophomore IB program, but I'm sure they were only interested because they saw "Private Hedge Fund" on my resume.
Regardless, I am writing the forum looking for ANY general advice or opportunities out there. Thanks to all that contribute.
I would say try to contact boutique investment banks in your area and try to go for an informational interview, if they like you, they will ask for your resume or maybe refer you to somebody else to speak to. Be ready to talk about your previous internship experience, they will ask you everything about it. Good luck!
Internship Advice - Rising sophmore at a target (Originally Posted: 07/29/2011)
Hey guys I'm a rising Sophomore at a target in NY looking to eventually enter the i-banking field. I was hoping for some advice on where to apply for an internship in either the fall/spring to boost my chances of landing a good one in the Sophomore summer.
Some background information: My GPA is not terrible though it could improve. It hovers around a 3.5 area. I worked two internships in my Freshman summer, however they were both in Arizona and not very prestigious. One was for a small consulting firm where I did mostly administrative tasks and a couple of small finance related tasks such as account follow-ups, updates, checking if trade orders were placed in, etc. Nothing amazing. The other was working for a sales company as a business development intern basically making cold calls to prospective clients. I actually hoped this would show that I'm not a noob to cold calling (but I probably am). Extracurriculars: I am the treasurer of the second largest budget club on campus and am also a Cohort Director where I am creating events and managing funds.
I am already planning on applying to big banks such as GS, MS, and JPM, but I was wondering if you guys had any other advice on where to apply. Other posts I've read recommended applying to Blackstone so I will definitely keep that in mind.
Thanks in advance for your time and advice WSO monkeys!
You should be applying absolutely everywhere. Why limit yourself?
You'll do just fine coming from Columbia, but imo, you really need to set your sights lower. By all means, apply everywhere that recruits on campus, but know that unless you know someone, the odds of Blackstone or MS taking a sophomore for a banking position with a 3.5, even from a top school are slim to none.
double post, sorry.
Landing a SA gig as a sophomore? (Originally Posted: 06/15/2012)
Hey guys,
I am about to head into my sophomore year at McCombs and am wanting to get ahead of the competition to get a summer analyst gig next summer at a BB or a no-name next year. Aside from networking what things do you guys recommend to get ahead of the game (i.e: specific books to read, things to do/learn etc.) to help me be more prepared when interviews roll around during Superweek?
PM'd you, feel free to reach out for more advice. Hook 'em
Feel free to PM me also for some advice.
Am I the only one who really hates seeing "a SA" instead of "an SA?" Maybe I just have really weird pet peeves. Buy the Rosenbaum & Pearl book.
^^^Same
Most of what I spoke to OP about was specific to McCombs, so I won't share that. But here is the generic things I told him:
1) Try to get on one of the investment teams on campus at the beginning of the fall semester (they are organizations that have real equity funds). These teams will help you recruit better. 2) Reach out to local boutique IB firms for positions in the fall and spring ASAP 3) Try to reach out to alumni right now and ask if you could talk to them for a few minutes (aka informational interview). Look on linkedin, the alumni directory, talk to friends, join finance organizations and ask the officers for advice
For interview prep and increasing your knowledge, read all the IB guides out there and the Rosenbaum book.
IMO, that is enough to prepare for any interview. You definitely want to follow the markets and know your favorite sectors (mergermarket, bloomberg, etc). Definitely do mock interviews whenever possible. This is kinda what everyone else says, but networking is the biggest thing when you're just a sophomore. Make meaningful connections and leave a good impression.
I have a lot of work so I didn't elaborate on much. If anyone any more questions feel free to ask.
Good advice. One thing I might add is to look at firms that don't recruit as heavily on campus, as many of these may only look at juniors.
How to land a SA gig your sophmore year summer(As in next summer for me) (Originally Posted: 08/24/2010)
gonna start off with a little story: I have a friend who this summer worked at GS as a SA as a sophomore, i.e going into his junior year this fall. He's from a semi-target with a 3.8ish in computer science. Anyway, I figure he networked his ass off or got super lucky to land a BB gig his second year with ZERO finance experience. It was his first real job(Unlike me who has worked retail and shit jobs for 4 years) of any kind. but he goes on to tell me, that all he did was apply online with no networking, and then one day in march gets a call from GS asking him to interview. Obviously he lands the gig and has a fuckin blast and is getting a return offer. So congratulations to him, but this a self-interested post as I'm going to twist this story to figure out what I should do.
I'm a rising sophomore at a semi-target(Fuck it, read that as UCLA) with a 3.97 in Biz-Economics. So instead of doing finance stuff my freshman year, I basically enjoyed life and partied 24/7 unless it was the night before a test in which I'd zonk out on iced coffee and red bull all night. So this summe rI did something productive, and I cold called my way into working at Morgan Stanley wealth management during this school year, in an attempt to finance-atize my resume. What I'm wondering is how to land that Summer Analyst gig that my friend got as a sophomore, I'm not sure if banks recruit at UCLA for their sophomore program b/c they only took juniors to my knowledge last year. Any advice on what I should do is greatly appreciated(Including all those Trolls that say "3.97 , You're fucked, transfer to Stern and maybe you'll have a chance")
I spoke to an MD today that, believe it or not, recommended I start taking my CFA exams in sophomore year so as to make me more marketable. Maybe that could be a catalyst? I'm in the same boat as you but I at least have an offer to fall back on, albeit it is in the Middle East. Networking is a pain in the ass. A lot of alumnus are willing to take your questions but a very small number of contacts would offer to refer you to HR. In fact, some get offended and think your too direct - I say, what did you think was the primary goal of talking to you?
Very true, I have experienced everything you mentioned this summer (except middle east). I find it a very awkward balance of not being too direct while still working towards the goal of working there.
Wow, Taking the CFA's this early is news to me. I'm not even sure how to break into the recruiting at UCLA as its dominated by a singular student organization that meets with all the BB's to determine a recruiting schedule, which i lacked the foresight to join last year. I'm hoping I can break in without cold-calling all of the alumni in the field with the hope of finding that needle in the hay-stack, of a higher-up friendly and helpful senoir banker who also understands my sense of humor. I botched a couple of phone interviews when people don't understand I am making a joke(interviewer: "it says here on your resume you are proficient in c++ and javascript, how about the Microsoft office package." me: "I'm actually a bigger fan of using Mac's word processors." Interviewer: 'So you dont know how to use any of microsoft office?" Me:facepalm "no no, I'm actually very good with excel, powerpoint and the whole microsoft office package.") How did you land the middle eastern job?
UCLA has resume drops around Dec/Jan for SA positions. Just join the UBS, I don't think it's an exclusive organization.
Also, life lesson, don't be smug/funny/sarcastic in an interview. I don't care how smart I thought you were if you gave me that answer in an interview it would have been an auto ding. I would have probably wrapped the interview up real quick. Grow up and use common sense. It's one thing if you have a good report going with the interviewer you can make a light hearted joke it's another thing to essentially mock his question. Your answer was basically no shit I know word, what a dumb question.
Side note, you can't even register for the CFA unless you have your degree or are in your final year of school. Also, the CFA isn't for banking or PE its more for asset management, something to consider depending on what your career interests are.
Trust me, I learned that one pretty fast after my first potential phone interview went down the tubes. After extensive cold calling, I picked up on the subtle taboo's of networking and Interviewing. took my sisters advice to be funny too seriously, ironically, (She's an NYC teacher), so in retrospect i should of realized the enormous professional gap between the interview process's of finance and teaching.
Parents, how else? I'm reaching out to my contacts in the ME for help, they've been much more willing and supportive than alumnus. I'm frankly sick of talking to alumnus at this point, it can be quite a frustrating endeavor.
Hypothetical question: which is going to help more for BB IBD as a soph (if you had to pick one) - boutique internship during the fall, or all-out networking with BB people? (Assume target school, solid gpa, solid internship at HF)
Sophomore Internships? (Originally Posted: 08/20/2012)
Are there lots of Sophomore internships? People claim that there are but all of the listings I see at my school say the target audience is juniors for summer analyst spots.
I go to a target school.
If there are such programs, can someone link them?
LOL
Why you guys putting on trollerskates? You see strobe lights???
The reason why they are trolling is because if you go to a target school you should already know the answer to this question. Look around and do the research yourself. Check out the BB around your school and network your way way in.
ε>
Mind-blown.
it shocks me that kids in target schools lack so much common sense. I hope this post is a troll post itself
Live, Laugh........
Not a candidate for SA positions because I'm a sophomore? (Originally Posted: 09/04/2015)
I'm a sophomore in college who's been gearing up for intern recruiting season. I'm technically a junior thanks to the hours I have racked up, but I won't be graduating until 2018 so I can squeeze in a physics minor. I have talked to a BB VP and he said they only want guys who will graduate the next year so they can extend FT offers if they want, and I have a feeling I'm gonna be hearing that a lot.
Would anyone take me next summer if I won't graduate for another two years after that? I will have done most of my finance classes so I will have the technical skills. If not, what can I do to put the odds more in my favor next year??
Thanks for the help.
There are SA positions for URM/female sophomores, but if you're very well-connected or have an incredible resume (e.g. top target, top grades, great experience) then it's possible. If not, look elsewhere and apply during junior year. The early graduation thing doesn't sit well with recruiters because you can always "fake" graduating early - for all they know, you're just using that to get a really good sophomore position so you can get something even better during your junior year.
.
Dude, people already gave you advice. Just work at a small regional bank this summer if you don't meet diversity criteria and leverage that for junior SA recruiting.
Sophomore Internship - Fall or Spring Internship (Originally Posted: 08/10/2011)
Hey guys,
I am going to be a Sophomore at Stern this next semester and I was hoping I could get a fall or spring internship that would better position me to receiving one in IB in the summer. I interned as a PWM intern at a boutique consulting firm in my home state this summer (back to see family) but I mostly did filing and occasionally made a couple of projections using Morningstar.
I'm only asking because I did a search everywhere and couldn't find an answer. What should my next move be? Should I begin cold calling boutique banks asking for an unpaid internship? Should I look for an internship in a different field of finance?
Trying to make a plan for myself.
Thanks, AZ
PM me
Actually, PM me too. I'm interning right now at a boutique bank in your home state.
Look on careernet for fall or spring internships. If you really want an IB internship as a sophomore you need to start contacting alumni and networking. That plus a strong gpa and some experience will give you a good shot.
call up boutiques in your area and try to find an unpaid/part time internship during the school year. I'm doing one full-time for Fall semester in NYC(taking sem off). My bank hires an intern at least once a semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) and most of them come from Stern. My MD went to school in NYU.
@RonaldBacon Would it be too late for me to apply for a Fall internship with your bank? And how did you get your internship? Networking? Previous connections? Cold calling?
I don't think so. I'm the only one, but I'm working full time. Shoot me a PM and I'll explain you my story.
List of Sophomore Internships/Programs? (Originally Posted: 09/07/2012)
Is there a list somewhere on here of all of the sophomore rotational and/or internship programs just for sophomores from BBs? Ive searched but found nothing. Wondering because I will be applying for them and wanted to get as much information on all of them as possible and make sure I'm not missing anything.
//www.wallstreetoasis.com/FAQ-are-there-summer-internships-for-freshmen-s…
looks like those are all for freshman...
i'm thinking more of sophomore rotational programs, etc.
Obviously haven't searched diligently enough. I don't think there is a compilation thread but I put a good list together on excel just through searching WSO threads
Sophomore internships I can apply for now? (Originally Posted: 01/27/2012)
I go to a target. 3.5 GPA. Boutique firms? Cold-call, alumni, or what? How do I go about applying for F500 internships if there around any viable options on my school's career center website?
Yeah, first try boutique or maybe even MM IBD and if that doesn't pan out go with PWM.
All about your network. Cold call, network through both your alumni and personal networks. Apply to as many places as you can online
Please help! Looking for internships as a Sophomore? (Originally Posted: 01/03/2013)
?
I had a roommate in a dorm I lived in when I interned in NYC 3 summers ago who had a GS internship as a sophomore, so I know they have a program too.
Other than that I would say just network. Find a list of boutiques and try and reach out to someone at the company. Cold email if you have to. State school or not, with a 3.7 and the list of EC's you have, someone should be willing to at least talk to you. Try your best to find alums, and you should be able to find something, even if it's small. As long as you get exposed to IB, it'll give you a good starting point for interviews next year.
Look at MM or Boutique IB's in your school's area and find out if any alumni work there. Find them on linkedin and send them an email asking if they need any help.
Thank you very much. I am currently making a list of the boutiques and the alumni that I need to contact.
I'm on the same ship as you.. coming from non-target with a gpa a little higher than yours and similar extracurricular.
I've applied to barclays and JP Morgan. I wanted to apply to more but I started applying a bit late. I'm going to go the route of cold emailing boutique firms.
double post
Sophomore Internshipsasg (Originally Posted: 08/14/2013)
nomo
Well, seeing as how you're speaking in hindsight, it doesn't matter whether or not your current internship is a brand name or not -- it's already happened. Just worry about crafting your story and networking.
Also, speaking from experience, a BB PWM internship consists of primarily bullshit work (though probably dependent on your office/superiors). It sounds like you got meaningful work and a learning experience this summer, so I would value that experience above any PWM. It certainly doesn't sound like working at a prop desk was a BS internship; as long as you can talk in depth about it in interviews and reflect strongly of the experience on your resume, who gives a shit about the firm name?
All in all, you have some good experience, just focus on the moving forward with it rather than looking back. Craft a good spin for moving from that internship to an IB/ER role, and if you're that concerned about brand name, look for a BB PWM in your area (though I'm not sure how highly concentrated these are in Ithaca). However, your time would probably be better spent connecting with Cornell alumni and killing your first semester there.
I'm just a lowly undergrad, but that's my .02
Sophomore Internships... Need Advice (Originally Posted: 02/29/2012)
So I had a few interviews so far with some banks, and made final rounds for a couple of them, but I didn't get the offer. Every time, they give the offer to a junior.
I know I am at a disadvantage because I am a sophomore, but I am starting to stress out because I don't have something set for this summer yet. I have set over 100 cold emails, and most places said they are only hiring juniors for interns.
Is there anything else I could do? What did you guys do after your sophomore year and how did you get it? I just need some advice
By the way i have a good gpa and go to a target school.
Thanks.
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