Undergrad HF Internships?
I’m halfway through my sophomore year at undergrad and I’m dead set on working at a hedge fund coming out of school. I know it’s extremely difficult, but I am ready to do the work and grind my ass off for an oppurtunity.
I’m looking for advice on how I can break into the industry. I interned at a small tech company last summer; currently interning for a wealth management firm right now. So I have a tiny bit of experience but not much. I’m at a non target school with a 3.2 GPA but I’m going to work hard to raise it to a 3.5.
I also feel the need to mention in high school I went to a prep school where a lot of wealthy people are alumni and still are sending their kids so I think I can use my schools network to my advantage and possibly connect with some alumni who work at firms. What do you think?
I am finishing up WSP’s program on modeling so that I can learn more about financial analysis. I’m also watching Martin Shkreli’s modeling vids. Reading common stocks & uncommon profits right now & next on my list is best practices for equity research analysts…
My main question is, what can I do to prepare to land an internship at a fund? I don’t care if it’s unpaid or if I’m just fetching coffee, I just need the experience.
Thanks for the read.
Based on the highest ranked content on WSO, here are some detailed steps and advice to help you prepare for landing an internship at a hedge fund:
Academic and Skill Preparation
Improve Your GPA:
Financial Modeling and Analysis:
Networking
Leverage Your Prep School Network:
Join Clubs and Organizations:
LinkedIn and Other Platforms:
Practical Experience
Internships:
Develop Investment Ideas:
Interview Preparation
Behavioral and Fit Questions:
Market and Investing Knowledge:
Additional Resources
WSO Hedge Fund Interview Prep Course:
Reading and Research:
Key Takeaways
By following these steps and leveraging the resources available, you can significantly improve your chances of landing a hedge fund internship. Good luck!
Sources: How to prepare for HF summer internship?, Hedge Fund Careers: Getting a Hedge Fund Job Out of Undergrad and Beyond, Hedge Fund Careers: Getting a Hedge Fund Job Out of Undergrad and Beyond, How to get a Hedge Fund Internship, [Experience] Road to PE - Investment Analyst in a MegaFund
Are you at a target? If not it’s gonna be tough unless you leverage one of your connections.
No but a semi decent school in NJ. Are there other options for me to get into a HF? What’s my best bet to landing a gig on wallstreet that will allow me (if I work hard and do good) to transition into a fund? I’m willing to work hard and do what it takes to get there… where should I start?
I’m at an MM this summer from a semi-target/target and was super lucky to get my role but IB/ER is probably more realistic. You really need to get your gpa up and network though.
lol good luck
Thanks for the motivation, geek
You think that a 3.2 GPA (likely non diversity too) at a non target has any shot?
I’m raising it. I know I fucked up, you can’t turn back time unfortunately else I would.
That being said, what’s the best move i can make to get a chance to work at a fund in 2-3 years after undergrad? What internships should I be applying for that I (if I do good) could land a return offer after next summer?
I sincerely hope that you are joking. If you are not, the way you articulate yourself and the questions you ask make it blatantly obvious you have no idea how the finance industry works. I would start thinking of other careers or start taking yourself more seriously.
Did you get bullied that bad in school?
Career change? I’m a sophomore in college. Get real buddy.
Sorry I didn’t “articulate myself” in a shit online forum filled people who are angry at life, just like you.
Reality check.
You’re NGMI.
-Insufferable
-Unable to process blunt advice
-Emotional (angry at online strangers)
-Dumb (bad GPA at bad school)
-Doesn’t know the industry
-Doesn’t know what books to read
-Thinks a modeling course will help him get a job
-Doesn’t know basic English language principles
Seriously though why do you want to work in a hedge fund over other alternatives? (PWM, Corp Dev, ER, Investor Relations etc.). Have you looked into internships at the main MM's and mutual funds? Would probably be best to get a proper feel for work in the industry before getting so set on it
You’re 100% right, I am interning at a small WM Firm (4 employees; 400 clients, $250m AUM) this summer.
Gonna look more into internships for next summer at small-mid size WM.
I also am interested in ER, I love looking at healthcare companies and trying to find out how they work. My assumption was that ER was hard to get into if you’re not a top student.
Was I wrong about this?
Hedge funds are much more competitive than ER, albeit ER is still very hard to break into. If you want a chance at an investment role you're going to have to get an investment based role next summer, not PWM. A good hedge fund out of undergrad is the hardest possible exit so would look about trying to get into an investment role initially within a bank etc. and see whether you can pivot in a few years.
U aren't getting a HF job out of college so it's just work in IB/ER for two years and then recruit for hedge funds from there. A 3.2 from Rutgers isn't hedge fund undergrad caliber but you can maybe sneak into IB or ER if ur friends have good connections and ur a networking grinder, just be prepared to make that your life starting now until you get a internship offer. Just look up how to prepare for IB interviews, million different posts about it on this site. Also, people are being mean to you because you sound like a douche kinda and are asking simple questions, but i'll be nice and give u real advice.
Thank you for this. Much appreciated.
Grinders and “never quitters” don’t get 3.2s. To Ben 2.5 years with a B average means lack of conscientiousness, discipline, and foresight.
what's your major?
math, engineering, fancy econ major will have more leeway
Finance. All my bad grades were in gened classes like Spanish, physical geography & philosophy. All my business classes have been B’s and up but now I’m only getting A’s
If you are getting B's in business classes you might be autistic
You need to humble yourself and stop lashing out. You would be a massive outlier if you made it into the industry so people are rightfully skeptical.
Your best bet is to teach yourself as much as you can. Read all the major investing books, learn to model, and begin investing a bit of your own money. Try to become a VIC member. Pitch your ideas where you can (even Twitter). If you're great, then you'll eventually get a shot, but it's a tough hill to climb.
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