Didn't study Finance/Business: How did you learn pre-internship?

Before starting your internships or full-time roles you need to have at least some understanding of the financial markets at least for interviewing sake. Most of that isn't taught in school. What are the best resources people here have been able to leverage?

I'm sincerely considering a career in IB or in another finance-related field and wondering what the most helpful resources are available in order to get up to speed with typical financial terminology and how the industry works in general.

At this point if there is something I don't understand (which are most things), I'll utilize Investopedia just as a quick reference tool but hoping there are alternate and more comprehensive/structured options.

My question was initially geared toward those didn't study finance at the undergraduate level and went straight into their firm's IBD but really this applies to anyone here. Any recommendations on reading or training material that would be helpful to pick up to get a better understanding of the financial services industry would be helpful to know about.

 
Most Helpful

Studied science at a target. Know the vault guide back and forth for the interview.

Assuming you have an internship, that should be sufficient. Pay attention in training and do all the exercises. You aren't expected to know anything besides how to tie your shoes, just have a good attitude and follow directions. Don't force people to say things to you twice - take notes. Ask good questions.

 

Find some people to talk to about interesting finance news. Sign up for a free newsletter (check out @wearetheroot on twitter for their signup link; its SUPER entertaining and quick to read). Use your university's free access to WSJ, NYTimes, etc to read about the markets, technology, economy, and business. Can you take introductory micro and macroeconomics classes at the very least? If you don't have time, khan academy has free curricula for these courses (as well as finance and capital markets) that I find helpful. This is the best free, structured option for learning the basics, IMO. If anyone has alternate suggestions (FREE preferably), please chime in. Reading WSO and r/financialcareers and looking up unfamiliar terms is also helpful.

 

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