First Year Summer Internship Enough for IB?
I am a first year at UVA and this summer I have landed a part-time internship at AXA Advisors. Furthermore, I am working with a start-up and creating their deck and financial model. I thought that I was ahead of the game until I spoke to some of the other kids I know. Some of them are working at private equity firms and boutique investment banks. I honestly thought this wasn't possible first year. Most people that I talk to tell me that I am ahead but looking at what other people are doing I feel like I'm behind. Have I already screwed myself for IB? Will either of my opportunities this summer look good to investment banks when I apply for internships next year?
AXA Advisors is essentially a scam...pretty well known by banks as a place where you’re just selling insurance like northwestern mutual or Primerica. Plenty of threads on this or a google search. Hope you’re not putting it on your resume for IB SA.
The fact of the matter is is that if you look at other people, you will always find people better than you, more qualified or have more experience. Take confidence in yourself and your abilities. You've done the best you could (I'm assuming you didn't have other offers). Confidence is key. I did not have any internship opportunities this summer (also a rising sophomore). I can tell you without real connections its pretty hard to find an internship as a freshman that isn't just scanning/ doing some random work that is more of a job to pay gas then to learn anything. The point I am trying to make is (1) yes you are ahead of others and (2) yes you are behind others as well. Your attitude will no doubt play a role in whether you get an IB Internship or not.