Autism affecting my internship conversions
This is a tricky one
I interned in IBD (coverage) and no matter what I do I just can't get a return offer
I hate my life genuinely to a point where I can't stand being a failure for being born with something like autism
I try so hard to make relationships but because I can't read emotions or non literal language, I never get the return
I'm now on my third internship and I am so lost I can't begin to describe how shit this feels
I would honestly love to hear from other people in the same boat what they think
Based on the most helpful WSO content, navigating internships with autism can indeed be challenging, especially in relationship-driven industries like investment banking. However, there are actionable strategies and insights that might help you turn things around:
Proactively Manage Your Challenges: A key takeaway from a private equity professional on the spectrum is to actively manage your situation. Accepting your unique challenges and approaching them scientifically can help you navigate the workplace more effectively. For example, instead of relying on intuition, analyze social dynamics and interactions like a system or process.
Focus on Your Strengths: Autism can confer unique strengths, such as analytical thinking and the ability to approach problems differently. Highlight these strengths in your work and let your performance speak for itself. While politics and relationships are important, consistently delivering high-quality work can also earn respect.
Seek Mentorship and Feedback: Building relationships with mentors who understand your challenges can provide guidance and advocacy. Additionally, actively seek feedback from colleagues and supervisors to understand how you can improve your interpersonal interactions.
Leverage Networking: Networking is crucial in industries like IBD. While it may feel daunting, focus on structured and intentional networking. Prepare questions in advance, listen actively, and follow up with thoughtful messages. This can help you build connections even if reading emotions is difficult.
Consider Specialized Resources: There are organizations and communities that support neurodiverse professionals in finance and other industries. Engaging with these groups can provide tailored advice and a sense of belonging.
Mental Health and Support: Feeling lost and overwhelmed is understandable, but it’s important to prioritize your mental health. Consider speaking with a therapist or counselor who specializes in autism and workplace challenges. They can help you develop coping strategies and build resilience.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Many professionals on the spectrum have faced similar challenges and found ways to thrive. Keep pushing forward, and don’t hesitate to seek support from those who understand your experience.
Sources: Q&A: (if interested) Autistic in PE, Q&A: (if interested) Autistic in PE, No full time offers, seeking life advice?, Extreme introvert - sick of "networking", Two Internships Later: What I wish I Knew While Recruiting! (Toronto)
Join a group a lot of Autists join
Which ones do you recommend most
Restructuring, FIG, infra
Bring up trains or baseball stats - that usually does the trick
That sucks. I’m mildly autistic but can sort of mask it.
imo Autistic people are actually really good at IB as analyst and associate when it’s more technical and heads down, but struggle to reach higher levels. Our team was so brutal in the intern review towards a clearly autistic intern (just off the charts mean really) who did not get a return. Not even close to being fair and just absolute hate towards him because he was autistic.
General advice I have is 1) always think about how you make the other person feel (ie make them feel good about themselves, brown nose, have them talk about themselves bc they enjoy the sound of their own voice etc) 2) max out other stats (ie if you’re hot you get more leeway think about clavicular lmao) 3) have general sports knowledge and talk about sports with guys who seem like they like it.
And if it’s just not working, something less client facing and more technical like S&T might be better. Idk if this is helpful but best of luck, it’s a brutal world out there.
Not autistic but I’m severely adhd and it’s been a struggle to do anything in this field without feeling like I’m biting concrete. Got an RO from an mm bank, but I really regret not going into CS or a more merit based industry.
If you’re so creepy, how do you even get the internship in the first place? Wouldn’t you strike out during that? You sure it’s nothing you’re doing at the actual internship that is resulting in no offers?
Because if you’re so off putting you wouldn’t have been able to secure the three internships in the first place.
Idk I've met a lot of very "off" interns that somehow make it past the interview process. Not saying autism makes you an "off" person, just that the interview process is not a foolproof testing system.
I'm sorry but I find that a bit insulting to be considered "creepy" just because I struggle with the day-to-day social dynamics - I think you should be careful about what you say because there are a lot of people who may be marginally autistic and to call them creepy is not a good idea.
I'm improving on my personal fit but it's just been a case of wrong person in the wrong group who doesn't warm to me as much as I'd hope, but that's just a case of learning the environment, not me being "creepy" (and I have a number of good friends who would vouch that I am not creepy at all)
Well I think youre
gang you're not helping yourself
Maybe a client-focused career just isn't for you if you're autistic.
Bumping the comment above - what are the groups where autistic thrive the most? Infra and RX? In the same line what are the best exits for autistic ppl? My guesses would be HF and Infra PEs?
Anything more merit based, so RX and Infra would definitely be the best while more client-facing e.g. sponsors would be the worst fit-wise. HF's and prop shops basically run on autists.
Man the world is truly run by autists (who excel at merit-based or extremely intellectual roles) or sociopaths (who thrive at client facing roles / faking emotion) or a combination of both
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