MM SA to BB/EB FT

Longtime lurker here.

I’m thinking of FT recruiting after my SA at MM, and would like to ask a few questions and hear others’ thought.

Currently a junior at target (Duke, Columbia, Chicago, Ross), 3.8 GPA with reputable on-campus investment club on resume.

I signed with a MM (JEF, WB, Baird, HL) in early April, was happy with what I got, and stopped recruiting. I recently realized most of my friends will stay in NYC for the summer and after college, and would like to stay with them. Plus, PE or other buyside recruiting seems to be tough from the bank I’m joining for the summer and thought it’d worth trying to move to BB/EB FT.

I read some posts on the topic, suggesting reconnect with networking contacts for SA process, etc, but I didn’t really network and might have to start from scratch.

In doing so, would you suggest I start reaching out to them now and stay in touch til FT process kicks off? Or wait until first few weeks of my SA?

Also, if anyone’s experienced in this, how should I manage to network with bankers in different city? Would there be disadvantage in doing so compare to NY-NY networking?

lastly, how did everyone manage to disappear 20-30 min during the day to have a phone call etc?

Thank you