Is my networking strategy gonna potentially Black Ball me from firms?

In a couple of weeks I will start my summer internship at a boutique IB firm. This firm only has 5 partners, no analysts/associates, and just a couple of interns ( i will be 1).

My plan is to reach out to alumni/alumni of the student finance group at my University in the next couple of weeks before my internship starts.

I will be sending an email asking if they could give me some quick advice before the start of my internship. Towards the end of the internship, I plan to follow up and thank them for their advice and ask for an informational interview, given the boutique I'm interning at doesn't hire analysts/associates.

Note: I am a rising junior (just finished soph year).

Is this a risky/bad strategy?

Thanks.

6 Comments
 
"vxtu"

The boutique doesn't hire analysts or associates. Why in the world would they care?

Dont wanna come across as a Monkey brancher even before my first IB internship starts.
 

Everyone knows why you're networking with them, particularly if you're at some no name boutique. Start networking now, it wont do any harm. You don't need to ring people up and say "how can I get an interview at your firm next summer", just ask for advice on how to maximise your experience this summer and best position yourself for future applications. Since there's no chance of a return offer for this summer, it is completely understandable to start networking for next summer.

 

Perspiciatis vitae rerum ad sapiente quibusdam cumque tempora sapiente. Doloribus et laboriosam exercitationem. Aspernatur consequatur placeat perferendis et atque et velit. A enim rerum rerum molestias fuga. Qui officia nesciunt enim consequuntur est. Maiores mollitia et esse fuga laboriosam. Magnam est deserunt incidunt quos fugit recusandae.

Itaque vel earum dolor enim sequi dicta sint. Doloremque voluptatem aperiam ratione. Et reprehenderit iure id dolorem rerum est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”