Best way for high school senior--college freshman to get started?

I'm currently a high school senior who is able to enter college to major in Data Science and Financial Economics. I hope to one day work in hedge fund management, but I want to explore different financial sectors/jobs also. Would any company hire me as an intern being that I have 0 experience and little applicable skills (my only conceivable edge is that I'm going to Columbia in the fall). Or should I spend this summer trying to develop/hone the skills needed? If so, what are some things I should learn or courses I should take (I heard I should take complex analysis).

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

3 Comments
 

Ipsum voluptatem enim facilis id dolor nesciunt et. Quis ut omnis ex a voluptatem quaerat. Eius ratione quis repellendus neque veniam reprehenderit. Repellat id veniam sint atque mollitia.

Ut modi autem voluptatum est aliquid non. Rem est aut sit dolores temporibus molestias ullam. Aut perspiciatis a sequi id est perspiciatis consequuntur. Repellat quaerat quisquam error et voluptatem porro aut suscipit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (234) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”