Extremely Nervous: Advice for Intern
I am an intern in a "top group" at an EB (I only say this so you can understand the people I will be working with, the quantity and type of work I will be expected to do, etc) who is losing sleep over concerns about getting a return offer (and its only training week so far). I interned in IB as a sophomore, and just logged the hours, had coffee chats / asked topical questions, showed interested in the deals, and got to know the staff. That worked great then, but I can't shake this worry that it will not be enough this time.
1) What do you recommend doing to reduce the nerves?
2) If an intern keeps their head down, logs the hours, has coffee chats / gets to know the FTers, shows interests, what are some things which could lead to a lack of a return offer? What should I be on the look out for (either things to do or things to avoid)?
What you did in the sophomore year is exactly what will get you a return offer - just keep up your good attitude and don't stress. A little bit of stress may help you stay on top of things, but nothing to worry about as long as you keep your head down and grind for 2 months.
You can show more proactiveness to anticipate the next workstreams in a deal flow, or raise your hand for more difficult analysis/tasks.
Would find a mentor / other A&A who you can have regular 1 on 1 to keep yourself in route.
Best of luck!