Advice for a freshy trying to break in?

Hello,

Trying to feel my way through the dark here and don’t really know where to start. I am a freshman at Columbia, and I am pretty confident that I want to get into some sort of finance research/analytical role. From what I’ve heard and what I understand, IB (and specifically coverage desks?) is a great path for that. That being said, I don’t really know what I should be doing to break in?

I am currently doing econ research with my school and have a FP&A internship lined up for the summer, but I know that recruitment for 23’ is coming up and I have no clue where to start. I’ve heard of a lot of camps/ networking programs, but I have no clue where to find them. I’ve talked to 2 career counselors and the most helpful advice I’ve received thus far has been to just talk to people and have a resume ready. From some of the upper class men, I’ve heard that diversity programs are a great way to get your foot in the door, but I’m a straight white dude.

This is all to say, I would hugely appreciate it if those of you who have been successful in the recruiting process would share what you did well, and (more importantly) mistakes made/ things to avoid.

Any advice is greatly appreciated:)

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Came from a non-target. I lied about being bi. I am now at an EB. I have no regrets or sympathy for the real LGBTQ student who lost an offer to me. Banks have no way to prove it and are legally not allowed to ask. This is not advice, just a personal anecdote.

In all seriousness, it is just a lot of networking once you hit your sophomore year and being prepared for technicals. Your sophomore and early insight programs don’t really start till late fall/winter of the year before.

The best thing you could do for now is join some sort of banking or investment club at Columbia and they will tell you everything you need to know. Also just reading around WSO will basically give you a complete understanding of everything.

 

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