going into freshman summer
what would you recommend a rising freshman at a target school to do to help break into ib and pe, not sure what to do rn
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Career Resources
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some steps you can take as a rising freshman at a target school to help break into Investment Banking (IB) and Private Equity (PE):
Networking:
Relevant Experience:
Skill Development:
Academic Excellence:
Extracurricular Activities:
Interview Preparation:
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to building a strong foundation for a career in Investment Banking and Private Equity.
Sources: What to do as a rising senior at a non-target with no IB experience, Simplified Guide to Breaking in as Non-Target (EASIER THAN YOU THINK), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/breaking-into-private-equity-from-banking?customgpt=1, Advice for undergrads going into IB interested in PE, Rising Sophomore, what to do?
touch grass
fr
figure it out
Don't really need to worry much about recruiting until late freshman year at the absolute earliest. Dating/hobbies/travel would be more beneficial than going into full recruiting mode rn.
Enjoy summer with your high school friends and enjoy your freshman year of college when it starts, you have time and have the rest of your life to work/stress about this stuff, enjoy freedom!
Relax this summer – when you get on campus make it a priority to build out a well-rounded profile. Every school has their 2-5 strongest business/finance clubs, get involved with those and stack the resume. While doing this, make sure to expand yourself socially (join greek life, other student groups etc). Many people at these targets either (a) will be running things in finance one day or (b) have parents who run things in finance. Building out that strong profile and genuine network relative to your school will help a ton
First off, Amherst is a semi-target at best.
You're an incoming freshman (c/o 2028)...
If you're diversity, you can apply to Summer 2026 Sophomore programs (MS, BofA) in Spring 2025 as a second semester freshman.
Recruiting for junior IB SA roles won't happen until Fall 2025 for you. You can begin networking the summer after your sophomore year, or if you're a mega sweat, I've seen kids start freshman spring...
Once you step foot on campus this fall, focus on keeping your gpa up, join a few finance related clubs to learn and network, but more importantly, try and enjoy college before recruiting starts.
Best of luck to you. Also, for the love of god, stop spamming brainless questions on this forum. Go hang out with some friends... it's your summer before college.
you can apply to PE search funds on linkedin.. you really don't do much at those firms, and most recruiters know that, but it's something you can put on your resume at the very least if you have 0 relevant experience.
Enjoy this last summer you have with your friends, you’ll regret not experiencing this later in life. Personally, summer after senior year was some of the most fun I had just being dumb before things get serious.
Take it easy and just keep up with the WSJ and maybe begin looking at the 400 Questions Guide
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