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.
 

It's extremely unlikely you'll get a brand name internship following freshman year. Instead of hyperfocusing on BBs and whatnot (which you'll have plenty of time to do later), you should cast a very wide net and target firms of many sizes and fields. 

 
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