Advice for Freshmen Year if You Want IB!!!

So you made it to college, and now you have 1.5 years to set yourself up before recruiting starts. If you're a hardo, you probably think these next 1.5 years are live or die, and you're kind of right? Even if you aren't a hardo, here is a plan for freshman year. It should help set you up for a job, to enjoy school, and be healthy about it. 

Freshman Year: August - December 

Target school: You don't have to stress terribly. There are probably 3-5 top tier clubs at your school that feed kids to banks. The better the school, the tougher they are to get into. The better the school, the more clubs (think Notre Dame vs Harvard). Get into 1-2 of them, and then maybe another lower tier one if you want. If not, explore your other interests, you have the luxury to (of course this changes depending on school, think UVA vs Wharton, of course UPenn gives more liberty no matter how good UVA is). Make good friends with the older kids, try to keep the best GPA you can (ideally 3.7+), and enjoy. 

Non-target/semi-target: There is usually 1-2 clubs that feed to banks. You NEED to make sure you get into those, whether that is 1st or 2nd semester. They will be your best chance of landing a job. Be close to older students who have experience or may be graduating. I'm not saying fake friendships. Make meaningful connections, don't go looking for favors. Keep a 3.9 - 4.0 GPA. Join another club for your interests (Student gov, cultural association, dance, etc.) this will be a good look on your resume to make you a more interesting candidate. 

For everyone: Email around at your hometown or college town firms (IB, PE, VC, Asset management, accountants) and ask for a job in the spring. Say you're willing to work unpaid. Ideally this is a remote job (10-15 hours a week) so it doesn't interfere too much with your school life. The most common job here is a search fund. It isn't much, but it's a good resume builder and easy to get. Send 100-200 emails and you'll find something. Don't overlook this, it's good experience and these days, some kids have 4-5 internships before recruiting. 

Freshman Year: January - May

Target school: Try to get a leadership position in one of the finance clubs you are in, or at least the interest organization at the minimum. Start emailing firms in your college town, home town, or other cities if you are able to live there in the summer. The better school you are at or the better family connections you have, the bigger/better your job will be. Leverage all this as much as you can to land a job. It can be anything in finance, just make sure it is good work and experience. Usually family connects go a long way in this matter, ask your parents, relatives, and all their close friends. For the majority that don't have them, don't stress, I was the same. Just send 100-300 GOOD emails, and you'll for sure find something. 

Non-target/semi-target: Try to get a leadership position in some club you are in, this is pretty important. Talk to more and more older kids in finance, learn about their experiences and really figure out what it took to make it from your school. A summer internship is vital. Take the advice in above section for the target schools. Try to reach out to alums because they are more likely to give you a job. The better the job, the more ideal for you it is. Keep that GPA up (3.9-4.0), it is important and don't slack for no reason. Take easier classes if you have to, it doesn't matter really. Take financial accounting though if you can, it helps leaps and bounds in studying for technicals and understanding what is up. 

For everyone: Any summer experience is good. Just because someone else has a crazy big company doesn't mean you are doing bad. If you don't get a job in finance, try to do finance related things at the job you do land (ex. asking to help with firm finances at a legal clinic). If you are fortunate enough to be able to, you can ask people for unpaid internships. At smaller firms/startups this might help you get a job since they might not have the money. This way, you are offering them help at no extra cost. 

Freshman Year: Summer

For everyone: I might get clowned on this, but I say to start studying technicals now. Don't wait until October or Winter Break. You have time right now, so you might as well. Your job definitely isn't a 9-9. Most likely it's 25-40 hours a week. Take this time to study a bit of technicals and behaviorals. Don't go overboard, but the school year gets busy and it's never bad to get ahead of the competition. But also don't get cocky just because you go to an amazing school, you still have to perform at the interview. 

Keep in touch with students that graduated. Ask your bosses in the summer if they have any connections in banks/just good people to know and talk to. But most importantly, PLEASE RELAX. 

Life isn't about getting an offer. Don't go bald from stress before you make it into IB. Spend time with your family and friends. This next year is about to be a marathon and you need to be prepared. Don't try to work 3-4 jobs (2 might be fine depending on time commitment) and take classes + interview prep. Of course don't underestimate recruiting and prep, but don't lose your whole summer over it. Enjoy life, and if you are smart and motivated, what's meant to be yours will come your way somehow...