No returns on internships, next step?

Hey, so I am a sophomore and I did not manage to land any internships. Looking for tips for what my next steps should be.

5,965 WSO Academy Investment Banking Session Reviews: 4.82/5

Class of '25 Nov 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Career Roadmap (optional)

“Parsita was extremely helpful with providing me a detailed breakdown on the different areas of an investment bank, from which I was able to gain a greater understanding into which areas I would like to focus on. She also was able to provide me a breakdown of the areas within sales and traading. Overall the meeting was extremely helpful and insightful, I would definitely reccomend her to anyone else who would like to gain a up to date, in industry, understanding of areas within IB. In particular which areas are growing more than others.”

Haagse Hogeschool

Class of '28 Nov 2026 Cohort

4.70/5

Investment Banking Career Roadmap (optional)

“I recently had my first roadmap meeting with a mentor from WSO Academy, and it was truly a pleasure. We had such an open, genuine, and insightful conversation. What I appreciated most was how closely his background, career path, and long-term vision aligned with my own ambitions. It was almost as if we shared the same goals and outlook on the future, which made the conversation even more valuable. We discussed a wide range of topics, including starting my career in an analyst role in the APAC region, potential pathways into private equity, and how to eventually transition into the U.S. market. We also talked about opportunities in the Middle East and Europe, the importance of building and maintaining a strong professional network, and even the possibility of starting my own company in the long term. He shared valuable advice on the next steps I should take and how to approach my career strategically. What made the meeting particularly special was how approachable, supportive, and genuinely interested he was in my ambitions. Since I’m currently completing my internship in Singapore and he will also be visiting Singapore soon, we’re planning to meet for a coffee chat, which I’m really looking forward to. Overall, I’m extremely grateful for this experience. It was a genuinely inspiring, helpful, and insightful conversation that made me even more confident about my decision to join WSO Academy. I feel fortunate to have connected with a mentor whose experience and vision align so closely with the career path I hope to pursue.”

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2 Comments

plantpot

IB

6y

Network, network, network. I'll do a post sometime soon but I managed to land my current position after a ton of networking coming from an extreme nontarget.

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Comparable Company Analysis Disadvantages

FellySmart

IB

6y

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Authored by: Certified Investment Banking Professional - 2nd Year AnalystCertified Investment Banking Pro

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No returns on internships, next step?

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No returns on internships, next step?

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