Breaking into equity research

First post on WSO so here I go...

Recently finished my freshman year at a semi-target and with a 3.6 cumulative GPA (3.7 major). Looking to break into primarily equity research/asset management but also open to investment banking and wealth management (latter is probably more achievable). I wasn't able to secure any internships this summer but was looking at the sophomore diversity programs for Summer 2023 since I qualify for those. On the flip side, I've really improved my networking skills and have met a couple of people in E.R. thus far + have another call with an equity research analyst tomorrow morning.

Any advice on the difficulty of getting into those sophomore programs/how to break into them? Like are there any specific programs I should know of? And what's a good backup plan for next summer in case assuming I don't get anything (which I think is somewhat unlikely but one never knows).

Thanks!