Tips on breaking into Portfolio Management out of undergrad?

Hey everyone,

I'm currently a rising junior at a non target school in a big city. I currently intern at a firm, but it's just a wealth management internship(been working here for 3 months). I want to get into asset management and I figure buy-side equity research would be the best route. The reason I'd rather jump to buy-side instead of sell-side is because I really enjoy the researching process and I feel like buy-side is better suited for that.

My firm has an investment team, but from what I hear from my coworkers is that they rarely if ever hire interns.

So again, I'm looking for an buy-side er internship for next summer.

My GPA isn't very good it's 3.4 right now. I had a terrible freshman year so I've been trying to pick it back up. I considered studying for CFA level 1, but apparently I can't take that till I'm at least a senior. I've taken WSP and I'm a CS minor so I have a little programming experience. I should also note I've done some stock pitches and I'm currently working on another one.

Do you guys have any tips? Thanks

2 Comments
 

I am an equity analyst at a UK long only equity boutique firm, with valu eorientation, graduated from a target (top 5 UK uni). I initially didn't break in to UK AM (got rejected by Aberdeen, Schroders, Fidelity) so worked at an investment research firm (think mercers, towers watson).

To get my buyside job I basically trained myself in stock research ,e.g reading gurus (klarman, buffet), doing DCF valuations and accountancy , industry research etc and applied for loads of equity research jobs - landed an interview, impressed the PM with a trade idea I made and go the offer. I basically would follow a similar approach.

See this thread for tips on how to train yourself in stock research: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/on-the-job-with-simple-as%E2%80%…

 

Delectus iste et autem culpa perferendis. In rerum sed ducimus accusantium doloribus aperiam porro. Aliquid perferendis eos qui et illum. Debitis molestiae voluptatem eaque iure est vero. Eum illum quia impedit quae consequatur.

Neque iusto deleniti nihil. Omnis pariatur et laborum qui quibusdam praesentium. Eos qui accusamus voluptates enim earum magnam.

Provident dolorem praesentium enim ipsum. Est voluptate vel qui nisi sunt rerum quos. Sit omnis quia laborum accusantium non vero. Quia facere eum quo. Dolores enim minima qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”