GWIM Summer Associate

Arguably the most frustrating interview experience I've ever had, mostly because I had no clue what I was interviewing for. BAML needs to figure out a new way to hire interns, preferably based on skill set and interests, rather than whatever it is they were looking for (still couldn't tell you what that is).

I had two 1-on-1 interviews during on-campus recruiting. Both meetings were with MDs, but they were from different departments, neither of which (derivatives trading and fixed income due diligence) I was I actually interest in working. I wanted to interview with the equity due diligence MD, since I was interested in equity due diligence, but there was no way to schedule with the appropriate MD. I had a great conversation with the first MD (an older man) in which we talked about everything but finance, but the second interview was a disaster, as the (unfortunately, female) MD tried to convince me that I was not interested in a career in finance.

They hired several of my classmates and only gave offers to half of them at the end of summer. One guy disliked the job from day 1, so I don't even know why he was offered the internship to begin with.

Such a confusing process that BAML should fix sooner rather than later.