Freshman Internship Questions

Hey everyone. I'm an incoming freshman at a target school, and I have a few questions regarding summer internships following freshman year.

1. How early is too early to network? I was planning on shooting cold emails starting Oct. Is that too early?

2. Who should I network with for these unstructured internships? I think I would have more success with >=VPs, is that a fair assumption?

3. Are internships at this stage paid? Obviously not expecting a prorated FT salary or anything close, but something just to get by

4. How much, if at all, do these internships help in non-diversity soph recruiting? Looking at BofA especially

5 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are detailed answers to your questions regarding freshman internships:

  1. How early is too early to network?

    • Starting to network in October is not too early. In fact, it's a good time to begin. Early networking can help you build relationships and get on the radar of professionals before the main recruiting season starts.
  2. Who should I network with for these unstructured internships?

    • Networking with VPs and above can be beneficial, but don't overlook Analysts and Associates. They can provide valuable insights and may be more accessible. Building a broad network across different levels can increase your chances of finding opportunities.
  3. Are internships at this stage paid?

    • Internships at the freshman stage can vary in terms of compensation. While some may be unpaid or offer a stipend, others might provide a modest salary. It's best to clarify the compensation details during your discussions with potential employers.
  4. How much, if at all, do these internships help in non-diversity soph recruiting?

    • Freshman internships can be very helpful for non-diversity sophomore recruiting. They demonstrate your early interest and commitment to the field, which can make you a more attractive candidate. Specifically for BofA and other large banks, having relevant experience can set you apart from other applicants.

Feel free to ask if you have more questions or need further details!

Sources: Sophomore IB internships (non-diversity), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/the-extent-of-diversity-recruitment?customgpt=1, Is diversity recruiting fair?, Which Banks Offer Non-Diversity Sophomore Internships?, Non-Diversity Summer Internship

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

Velit natus dicta temporibus assumenda ut nam. Tempore ut at expedita autem nostrum. Architecto inventore numquam iusto tenetur quibusdam saepe. Suscipit consequatur et repellendus aut ea. Eligendi soluta quis quae qui vero vero in consequatur. Asperiores eos porro atque quo fugiat. Ratione optio quis dolorum officiis inventore vel ex qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”