Gap Year Summer Finance Internship

Hello everyone! This is my first post in this forum, and I hope I can get some advice about my future career plan. I apologise if this is the wrong place to post. 

Anyway, I wanted to come on here to ask about getting possible finance internships in the summer period in London (or other major cities, e.g. Paris - I enjoy travelling, only issue is the visa) to gain experience. I have contacted a number of investment banks and private equity firms, but as I have not started my university degree, no one will take me. I am on my gap year right now, having finished sixth form last year, and I currently work as a research chemist at a start-up and will be off to read Biochemistry at the University of Oxford this October. 

I have tried sorting something out for months and had no luck, so I wanted to just come on here to see if it is even a possible thing, given the fact that I am a school leaver. I have so far started to network and have met a few students at Oxford who are studying similar degrees to me and have delved into IB or PE during their holidays. Would love any advice, thank you!

4 Comments
 

definitely possible to land finance internships, not very likely to land IB/PE internships without some form family connection before university

I Interned at a PWM firm on my gap year in London, which is what i'd recommend. Puts you in a better place than most for spring recruiting, which is all that matters.

 

I'm at a similar stage as you and also going to Oxbridge in October if you want to keep in touch. Whilst it's good to look abroad, I think, unless you're a foreign citizen of whichever country you're looking to intern in, it will definitely be difficult. It seems firms are not wanting to take on the ballache of sponsoring, visas, etc. for someone who's only an intern.

 

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