Ambitious High School Student
Hello!
I am currently a senior at a high school who will be attending a target-school this year in Canada (couldn't go to the US or London due to personal reasons). I would like to secure a summer analyst internship at a BB, EB or a MF PE firm (if that's even possible) within my first year of undergraduate studies—though some firms have specific requirements against freshman students. I have taken the initiative in learning (to an analyst level) LBOs, valuations, trading comps, basic accounting and am currently learning financial modelling using excel and general corporate finance. I also have a whole year (including this summer break) in which I can dedicate my time to further expand my knowledge of finance.
I am interested in certifications but most of the credible or relevant ones require work experience or a bachelors degree. I was also thinking of taking certain courses which would help build up my resume as I would have nothing to back up my claim of being learned.
Questions:
How would I be able to secure a summer analyst internship within my first year? How can I be better and more desirable than the junior year summer interns?
If I would like to aim towards a summer analyst position in the United States (NYC, LA, CA, Chicago), how would I be able to do that? What should I focus on to make it possible in my first year of undergraduate studies? If it is not possible in my first year, how do I secure it in my later years?
Also, what should I focus on in my undergraduate years (other than the usual stuff)?
4, What would your 'ideal' or 'perfect' candidate be for IBD* and PE jobs?
About Myself:
Bio: 18/M at a Canadian Target Prospective Positions: IBD M&A Summer Analyst and PE Summer Analyst Preferred Firms: GS, MS, Blackstone, Evercore Experiences: Stocks & Options trading (2 years experience), no work experiences but EC's are relatively good
Thank you for your time!
"Prospective high school student" means that you are going to be in high school and are currently younger than that... use words properly.
Thanks for noticing that! Fixed it up.
geez
Imma be honest. You need to chill. Sometimes being too aggro will hurt you more than it can help. Landing any good internship is a multistep process. As a high schooler there a lot of things (not just academics) that you need to learn to be qualified. You're going to a target, so just focus on getting good grades but also have fun. Network at boutiques where you have a better shot and can still learn a lot. The only way you're going to look better than a junior is if you're doing it for free.
Thank you for your honesty!
I would like to hear your opinion on working for free. Would you like to share any experience or detail for working for free as an intern? Would lower tier firms hire me?
Im also going to be real with you. Im assuming you're either going into Western AEO or Queens Commerce. BB/EB jobs are few and far between these days due to the TN Visa restrictions even for 3rd years and graduates if you're not a US citizen. Its simply not going to happen. Even if you were mature enough and knew everything, these firms hire interns because they want to convert them to full time. Hence why 1st years are not hired. MF jobs... I'm at one of those schools and I only know of 1 person who even had an interview with one, much less a job (for undergrad summer).
This isn't to discourage you. Its good that you're ambitious and are working hard early. Focus on getting decent jobs your first 2 years (boutiques, small funds, ER, even IB or ecm/dcm at the smaller canadian shops), great grades and strong, varied ECs.
Feel free to shoot me a pm if you have any questions!
Thanks for your honesty!
You can't. Focus on getting a high gpa, doing interesting ecs, and most importantly enjoying college.
read this book https://amzn.to/2H0iNbE</a">https://amzn.to/2H0iNbE
Just don't be a fuckin squid or else you'll end up in the back office
Lol I don't understand this forum. A young ambitious student wants to get ahead, wants to prepare, yet is called a "try-hard." Yet when recruiting hits sophomore year and he just finds out about it, "you should've prepared earlier."
Lmfao young ambitious student
No it isn't ambitious its excessive. And the fact that you're defending him is hilarious.
OP is a HIGHSCHOOL student that in most circumstance only knows about IB from this forum. Literally the only reason at this point OP wants to do IB is the prestige/pay. How do we know this? "Preferred firms: GS, MS, Blackstone, Evercore" literally screams I don't know anything about finance nor do I realistically know anything about IB but those names always seem to have high prestige on this site so I want to do it.
The OP probably is an idiot, but does anyone do finance for anything other than pay?
Sorry, I did not mean that in that way. I was merely looking for opinions regarding the specified firms, as I would like to know how their recruiting process is for interns in Canada. And obviously, I would like to work in those firms due to their prestige/pay.
Thank you for your opinion!
None of the firms you listed will hire you, especially in the US given changes in the visa process. And no, you likely don't know how to do valuation at an analyst level.
Purchase one of the interview guides, learn the material, network with boutiques and MM's to build a network, then leverage the relationships you build into an internship. The best you can hope for is a lower MM or boutique shop willing to take you on -- as a freshman, your value add is next to nothing, hence why most firms will not hire you (as in most boutique's/MM's -- the BB's/EB's won't hire you bc you're too early in your college career).
All that being said, I'd take an honest look at yourself and think about whether or not you have the people skills to build those relationships, because if you come across as not likable (like your post), you'll have a hard time finding any firm willing to bring you on.
However, if you're going to a target, just join one of the banking/finance clubs and follow their suggestions -- there's a set path already there, all you have to do is follow it.
Good luck. My best advice is to just relax and enjoy the rest of high school. You'll have plenty of time to worry about this once you start college.
Thank you for the helpful comment!
I will try my best to develop my people skills. Can you recommend me some books or tutorials on how I can become better in managing and keeping relations of all breadth?
You get better at interacting with people by... interacting with people.
Incoming GS TMT Summer Analyst Toddler edition
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