Need Opinions!
Ok, a little background: I'm 17 and this Fall I'll be a senior in Pure Math with a minor in Econ (and minor in ballet which might be irrelevant). I got bored in high school (it was a good school but was too easy for me and this was discouraging) and at the time I was about to move to New York to pursue ballet when I got injured. So, then I home schooled a little and just went straight to college. Obviously with this background, I didn't go to an Ivy as my mom wouldn't let me go far from home at my age.
I'm interested in doing Wall Street Investment Banking or a related field. As I really have no previous work experience, no connections, and I didn't go to an Ivy (my school doesn't have recruiting), is there honestly any chance of getting an internship this summer? I was hoping the fact that I'll graduate with a Math degree before I turn 18 could be a selling point, if my online application was even looked at. Right now I'm doing research with a professor in the Monte Carlo methods in mathematical finance, and independently studying finance. I'm also applying to very good graduate schools for mathematical finance or economics. So, my question is should I try this year or, assuming I do get into one of these competitive programs in financial mathematics, just wait.
I feel like my situation is a bit unique, so I'm not a complete idiot for thinking with my background I could have a chance.
Any input or strong opinions are welcomed and appreciated! Thanks!
If by this summer you mean next summer, then no, because you'd have graduated.
You give the impression that you have no idea what you want to do and thus have defaulted to investment banking because you heard about it here.
My advice is to put some more effort yourself in figuring out what you want to do.
Barring that, I also recommend grad school, because it would both give you the ability to get an internship (e.g. Summer Associate program) and put some credentials on your resume that would make you stand out from the crowd when you enter the work force at 20.
I think that at 17 years old, OP is already far ahead of the game. I know that I, for one, had no clue what to do at that age.
Soph, here's my advice:
If you get in to a high-rated MS Finance program, or any quantitative/finance-applicable grad program, you would be an instant candidate for top internships. At 17, all you'd have to do is make yourself known to recruiters at your campus as the "teenage grad student with a high GPA."
You might be able to get an internship outside of grad school recruiting through networking; frankly, your age is definitely a selling point as it shows that you're incredibly motivated, but you need to make this known to the relevant people (ie, recruiters and people with hiring power).
I say, finish school and try to find an internship in your home town as you do it. Get yourself geared up for a top grad program (get a high GMAT score and buff up your resume with experience, academics, extracurriculars). From there, you can literally do anything.
If presented correctly, I think your story is an incredibly powerful tool for you. And don't forget your biggest asset right now: time. You'll have a college degree 4 years before most people even finish their first accounting course. Do some travel, meet plenty of people, and use this to your advantage. If finance is really your thing, you could go a long way before even hitting 25.
Thank you so much for the input, it is appreciated! It was actually unbelievably helpful and I will definitely take the advice. In response to the previous comment- I actually haven't defaulted to investment banking because I heard about it here, I found this site because I was already so interested in the field.
I'm just chuckling at the thought of when all the analysts go out to the bars, OP will have to go back home because he is so underage he can't even legally vote yet.
On a serious note, I would listen to Kassad. Hell, I would even take a year off and go travel the world or something assuming you have the financial situation to do so.
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