Undergrad to ER looking for insight

Hey all,

Graduating in December, and starting the job hunt. Ultimate goal is ER (start out on the SS and eventually move to BS), enrolled to write CFA L1 in June.

I've read that Undergrads in interviews for ER aren't necessarily expected to go into valuation, would that be correct? For reference I don't have any work/intern experience in IB or anything of the sort that would give me valuation experience, just took WSP's courses. The first company I'm researching right now I plan on making a model for and doing a DCF and Comps analysis. Would that potentially give me an edge over other Undergrad candidates in the stock pitch?

Also, other questions are if it'd be appropriate to reach out to analysts currently working at the firm to network while also submitting application to the firm's position online, and if I should try to make my model quarterly, or if annual is fine at this point.