Freshman Going into Sophomore – BNY & Bloomberg Programs, SIE Prep, IB vs PE vs Hedge Funds? What Should I Be Doing Now?
Hey everyone,
I’m wrapping up my freshman year and heading into sophomore year with a clear goal: I want a high-finance role in investment banking, private equity, or hedge funds—nothing less.
So far, I’ve been accepted into the BNY Mellon Freshman Jumpstart Program and Bloomberg’s First-Year Insights Program. I’m currently studying for my SIE exam and taking every step I can early.
Private equity really interests me—the long-term ownership and strategy side feels powerful. At the same time, I know investment banking is the traditional route and builds a strong foundation. One of my professors (a former MD at JPMorgan who led M&A and did the Capital Cities/ABC merger for 3.5bil in 1987 strongly encouraged me to start in IB, and I take her word seriously. But I think I do want the skill and to know the ins and outs.
To make things more interesting, the COO of Fixed Income at SMBC recently told me I should consider going the hedge fund route. That conversation definitely stuck with me.
I also talked to a VP at JPM for Alternative investments he started in IB to S&T. He said better hours was the reason he switched. He told me take your time but do everything now to get the junior internship to help you learn.
I’m staying focused and open-minded, but now I’m asking: What should I be doing right now to set myself up for a top internship and long-term career in one of these high-finance roles? Should I be targeting boutique internships? Pushing more on technicals? Building my network harder?
Would love to hear what upperclassmen and analysts wish they did early on.
Connect with me on linkdin Louis Esposito Thanks in advance.
IB#PE#VC
To set yourself up for success in high finance, here’s a roadmap based on the most helpful WSO content:
Leverage Your Current Programs:
Networking:
Boutique Internships:
Technical Skills:
SIE Exam:
Explore Your Interests:
Build Your Story:
Stay Persistent:
By focusing on these steps, you’ll position yourself strongly for top internships and a successful career in investment banking, private equity, or hedge funds. Good luck, Louis!
Sources: Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, What do sophomores usually do for internships?, Q&A - Private Equity Internships, How to Get an Internship After Freshman or Sophomore Year, As a freshman what should I be doing?
You should be urgently seeking something to do this summer to get some experience eg boutique IB, wealth management, search fund, etc. SIE and BNY/any other insights program don’t count as experience. For IB/S&T once you figure out what you’re doing you need to also start gradually networking and cold emailing up until end of the year where you then start to focus on technicals for interviews.
Freshman 🤣🤣🤣
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