Ivy undergrad with no experience, what to do?

Ivy undergrad looking for summer internship but so far I'm just getting rejected from every company or firm I've applied to so far. I transferred to a target school as a junior, but I have no relevant experience at all in finance. Have attended a couple of networking events with no luck so far. I'm obviously doing something wrong, I suck at networking and I'm probably not doing enough, but I also can't help but feel disadvantaged since I know some juniors who have prior experience with good GPAs to add, therefore being more competitive and more qualified than I am.

Would appreciate some advice. My options so far is to extend my graduation date and maybe practice my interviewing skills while I'm at it.

 

It is a little late in the application season, but apps are still open for some front office roles for summer internships. You can definitely get in without the experience, you just need to market yourself better. There are tons of people from ivies but they have experience, so why you out of those people?? Try to craft a unique story about yourself and your interest in IB (or other division). Many foreign banks are still recruiting - I just got a first round interview for UBS due in a few days but leaving the spot open for someone else. I think your best option is to apply everywhere first, consider middle office/back office roles as well if you want to still work in finance and maybe move up from there, although it is much harder to. Try some unrecognized firms like BBH, and foreign banks. At the same time network to get a feel for the firm and then you can name drop during the interview if those meetings went well. Try your best, and if all else fails, stay another semester but you should try to secure a no-name internship in IB this summer. Are you considered a diversity candidate? PM if yes. Good luck and keep practicing, shaping your story. It makes a huge difference in the end.

 

Architecto suscipit repellat omnis labore. Accusantium exercitationem quidem est. Voluptate mollitia rerum earum nemo illum.

Impedit soluta quam beatae nihil. Iste distinctio voluptatem velit est. Est veniam aut ea veritatis. Repellendus non odit consequuntur consequuntur voluptatibus. Natus hic odit excepturi incidunt reprehenderit odit porro. Voluptatem consequatur iure quia qui aut.

Rerum sequi vel officia tenetur quia numquam nihil fuga. Distinctio cupiditate aut laborum facere voluptatem. Repellendus perferendis et aut eos error.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”