Work with a major asset manager - Am I wasting my time?

I'm in a similar situation, you're learning more than you know. The path that I've taken is to just get involved in as many aspects of the firm as possible (albeit I'm at a comparably large firm).

The most helpful thing for me has been to sit down with Research Analaysts/ Sr Research Analysts/ PMs and discuss what they do on a day-to-day basis. Also ask what advice they have for you. At the very least, this serves as a jumping off point and I would bet they'll offer to help you learn anything and everything you want.

Just shoot an e-mail or ask in person if they have a few minutes to sit down with you. Even at a small firm, summer could be pretty slow... especially during the upcoming few weeks surrounding July 4.

Hope this helps!

Can you tell us what you are actually doing? There's no cookie-cutter answer for what an AM internship should entail.

My summer hasn't been slow at all! I am working on at least two projects at any given time.

So far, I modeled two companies (there is no way they are going to add them to any of their portfolios) and other documents to review. Starting today, I will help them develop trading strategies.

I am not sure if that is what a 'typical' AM internship looks like. I am supposed to work with the portfolio management team, but I am also working on projects with the risk management team.

If I could work on any project I would like to, is there any specific one or a category of projects that I should definitely do while I have the chance?

I expected more financial modeling. Anyway, what are (the most important) things that usually appear on a resume after one has completed an Asset Management internship? What projects or achievements can make me stand out? I want to be ahead of others as much as possible. I apologize if this has been answered somewhere else, but I couldn't find any reliable information.

Wow that sounds awesome. Today I mainly formatted a PowerPoint and sent mailings. Luckily my other internship is much better.

Any tips on how to get better work?

It sounds like a really good internship imo. Trying to get a sense of how your work fits into the overall investment process is important so talking with analysts and higher up where you are about what you're doing is important. While they may not use your work all that much, it sounds a lot like what most entry-level analysts would be doing. Also, ask people how they got where they are. That will give you a sense of what's needed to make progress and can point you in the direction you might need to take. If you see somebody doing work you find particularly interesting, figure out what's needed to get a position like that, either at your current shop or elsewhere.

A good gig u have at this internship. Try speaking to ur pm saying ur interested in being hired full time and wad can you do to meet his expectations.

So, you're modeling a couple of companies for them to consider in their portfolios and you don't think that is a good experience? Did you know what an asset manager does before you accepted the job?

Thanks for the tip GoodBread.

aspharagus, I would love to get hired full time here, but the last time this office hired anyone for the portfolio management team was three years ago. So I am assuming that the chances are rather low.

SirTradesaLot, of course I know what an asset manager does. How else would I have gotten the internship?

If I want to work in AM for a few years after college (to figure out if I love it or just like it), would it make sense to pursue a year-long part-time internship with a hedge fund? I recently got an offer from a small, no-name one, but I think the experience would be great. I know it wouldn't hurt to do the internship, but would my time be better spent networking? If I don't love AM, I'll probably switch to a hedge fund. If I end up doing this, then the internship would probably help me a lot. Any thoughts?

Doesn't hurt to try asking. I have gone through quite a number of interviews and these PMs tell me they won't hire unless they find someone that is a 'fit'. Also have to see if the fund is performing well enough to hire you. All the best ahead dude =)

StryfeDSP kinghongkong:

If I don't love AM, I'll probably switch to a hedge fund (maybe a macro hedge fund). If I end up doing this, then the internship would probably help me a lot.
Any thoughts?

If you don't like the general concept of AM I doubt you'd feel much different about HF.

Thank you.