Getting Internship as a Freshman?
For background-I am at a Big 10 school with a notable IB pipeline program that I am planning on joining come sophomore year. As it is almost the new year, I'm looking to take my resume to the next level by completing an internship this summer, but I have been told by so many people to not even bother to try to get one (given these people don't give a fuck about banking/high finance, and have no idea how competitive it is).
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I have heard so much about search funds, low-level internships, etc.
A close friend of mine worked for a BB in IBD, and another is currently at a MM and both said freshman internships are not required but highly encouraged if you can get anything even semi-business related.
What is the best way to go about getting these? I've been looking out for them online (ZipRecruiter, indeed, etc.) and applying to anything that is not grade-restricted for people older than freshmen. This includes commercial banking, general finance, credit, wealth management, etc. I feel like I am doing my best as I don't have any professional experience (other than summer jobs typical for any highschooler) that is applicable for many of the internships that I would love to have.
Please, if you have any tips/pointers LET ME KNOW.
Anything finance related would be great.
They’re some IB insight programs available at BBs to freshman that are direct pathways, but most are highly competitive or only accept diversity.
Having gone thru a freshman summer internship last summer, I can say that applying solely from job boards has an extremely low probability of getting an interview or even a response. My advice is to network around family friends/family members who might work in something related, there’s a chance they could get you a job or refer you and it’s a good way to build out your network.
If not, try to leverage your local community- if you need more specific advice DM me and I’d be happy to help out for free
Agree with this. Just to add on, Handshake is another great platform to find internships (smaller firms often post roles exclusively on there) as well as Searchfunder if you’re specifically looking for search funds.
You can also look at where the upperclassmen at your school who were successful in IB recruiting did their early internships (through LinkedIn) and reach out to those firms.
100% agree with the last part, best way to find firms is to see what previous students from your school did since those companies do take interns and there's someone you can talk to who might be willing to help
Try for a local boutique. 100% doable, even from a nontarget but you gotta network well. Otherwise some good choices are LMM PE that will probably be up to take some unpaid interns doing search fund stuff, PWM (less applicable) and as a last resort search fund (dime a dozen, everyone does them during the school year and really isn't a distinguisher anymore).
I am have been going through Searchfunder for hopefully some search fund internships. Lots of cold emails sent, and I will probably start going through LinkedIn past alumni. Hopefully I get a bite
Personally I had zero luck with searchfunder. I don't know why people keep recommending that place, too many kids on it. Your best bet is to mass email a ton of search funds and hope something sticks. I got one after ~20 emails with quite literally nothing on my resume.
Would you be open to PM? Im curious to ask you some questions
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