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.

 

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