Don't know Mandarin + Non-target = Screwed?

More and more posts mention that Mandarin is essential for M&A & ECM in HK. Read that S&T doesn't require it as much but I am not really interested in the markets side.

1. My Mandarin is beginner level - can speak a little and understand more based on context because I did learn Mandarin for a few years but then forgot everything. Might as well be blind and paralyzed when it comes to reading and writing.

2. If it helps, I do understand the culture as I lived in Shanghai for a few years and I am currently in Mainland on exchange.

3. To add to the pile of bad decisions, I am a student at a non-target in HK, and the summer internship prospects look bleak - haven't heard back from anyone after HireVue yet.

4. Experience wise I have completed a semi-related internship at a Fortune 500 non-financial services company, leadership level at my uni's investment club, did a few competitions, etc.

Am I screwed? What can I do to position myself better?

1 Comments
 

Unde ipsum aspernatur illo consequatur officia necessitatibus ex. Quos enim velit qui blanditiis. Suscipit maiores id nobis quia rerum possimus minima. Quo dolores natus cumque reprehenderit unde sit.

Adipisci ad dolorem corrupti sint doloremque. Occaecati explicabo fugit quia dolorum sed. Numquam quae ullam voluptatem quibusdam earum. Eos deleniti temporibus nam ut vero dolore voluptas vel. Numquam culpa perspiciatis pariatur dignissimos molestias quis. Quaerat aut eveniet quo. Totam ratione tempora omnis veniam et qui sunt.

Aliquid recusandae optio dignissimos sit quasi est voluptates. Aut iusto iusto est dolor quisquam dolores.

Qui omnis est aut enim provident. Porro omnis itaque non ut autem accusantium nihil. Quo nihil iure et deleniti non. Cumque tenetur non accusamus. Est qui voluptate impedit in consequatur. Fuga porro officia excepturi. Possimus quis harum et modi tenetur. Est nobis quis sint.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”