Necessary Intern Skills?

Hi all,

So I was just proved wrong in a previous topic for my opinion that interns should have baseline Excel skills, financial knowledge, and an ability to work quickly and effeciently without asking too many questions when given an analytical task by a FT analyst. They are new kids on the block after all, I'm forced to admit.

Many active posters here believe that a SA should have some drive and heart, some financial knowledge, and a willingness to learn - the rest of the skills and knowledge can be acquired during the internship. I can certainly say this is the case for a number of interns I see. So my question for you becomes:

For our generation, how prepared should incoming interns be? Is it fair to expect them to have general skills in Excel (simply knowing shortcuts that can save time, for example), and a basic knowledge of financial modelling? Or should all of this be picked up as they go along?

2 Comments
 
Best Response

.... dude do you seriousl work in IBD? something really tells me you don't - or at least you are definitely not a campus hire.

The answer to your question if this isn't flame is... of course all that stuff can be picked up as they go along. You realize on the sell side, the bulk of IBD at a junior level is processing right?

and how long can it possibly take to learn alt - e - s ...etc? The most important trait for interns and full-times alike is a positive attitude. If you really want to take it to the next level, it's the ability to learn quickly and anticipate what the person above you wants before he/she asks you for it.

 

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