No Freshman Summer Internship
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Respect the hustle, but you’re significantly over estimating your knowledge and usefulness. Compared to someone that’s worked in the industry for how long you have generally zero value to them — which is okay.
Might be helpful to just acknowledge that and go in to the search process with the mentality of “I’m really eager to learn, here are some work samples of what I’ve done” to show that you are genuinely interested rather than impress them with the work itself. As a freshman, you’re not gonna get hired off merit bc you have none so better off looking for an opportunity that has that same understanding. End of the day you’re a net loss to the firm so you have to find somewhere that id okay with that and wants to help out because you came across well.
that makes sense. so i still cold email with pitch but i frame it that way? my only fear is how does this convert to internship vs just a chat because Ive had great chats I need an internship now :/
Hi ____,
My name is xyz and I’m a freshman at … I’m super interested in public markets investing and would love to learn more about your experience if you have the time!
Additionally, I’ve attached a long/short pitch on TICKER that I recently finished. Obviously has a long way to go, but would love any feedback you’re willing to give!
Best,
____
Something along those lines. Then ideally have the call and if it goes well, follow up with:
Hi ____,
It was really great speaking with you today and I enjoyed learning about ____. Your point on ____ was definitely super helpful and is something I will try to implement going forward.
As we discussed, I’m still looking for an opportunity for the coming summer. Im not sure if your firm ever takes interns as part of an unstructured program, but if possible, I would love to be considered. If not, no worries, but I would love to know if there is anyone in your network that you’d be willing to connect me with! Thanks again, have a great rest of your week!
Best,
____
Obviously this needs a lot of polish but you get the idea. If th call is going well you can even throw the last part in during the end of the call.
Also curious ^
Bump
Here are some ideas- Reach out to corporations or local firms for corp dev / accounting opportunities- Search funds (not the ones you see everyone on linkedin doing, find one that's less known but has operators with IB/PE background)- Cold email startups to offer remote work. They can always use a hand, and people in IB/PE love startups- Reach out to family offices or local wealth management firms
No freshman summer internship? You’re cooked, you will never escape this. You will never get the chance to work a soul sucking job that will take years off your life.
If you’re at a target, relax. I didn’t have a freshman internship and I landed top BB with a sophomore fall internship.
As for getting an internship, the single greatest piece of advice I received in recruiting is to make it clear you’re simply excited to learn.
In truth, you will provide nothing as an intern and will only really be there in the office to make the seniors feel good that they bring on interns. Your goal is to be fun to be around and excited to learn. Full stop. So stop pitching people or trying to impress them. That is why you’re not having success (could be other things too I don’t know). Instead, ask thoughtful questions that implicitly demonstrate your knowledge, without being sweaty.
damn kiss your job prospects goodbye mate, it's all over
Which Wharton goon is this
Good guess. Thankfully did land a solid HF offer but yes very funny to read back on this and laugh and realize how stressed I was for no reason
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