Non-Target sophomore looking for SA position advice
Hey guys, I'm a rising sophomore majoring in CS and Econ at a non-target liberal arts college. Just started applying to BB SA position and will start to do so for boutiques too. My school is has a solid network in wall street but it's not that big. I'm trying to take advantage of that but I feel like the network runs out fairly quickly especially in IB. Anyway, I'm looking for advice on what to do once you start the application process, I just got a hirevue from JPM. I did a 5-week internship at a pharmaceutical firm in the corporate finance division this past summer and feel like that could greatly help my resume as a freshman. What banks should I be looking out for that usually is open to non-ivy schools? Any other things to know to make me stand out?
If you just got a HireVue with JPM, I would focus my efforts on making sure that goes well. By investing in practicing for that interview and getting your answers 100% cemented, you'll gain carryover skills for future interviews. To be frank, getting a sophomore internship in IB is near impossible, unless you go through one of the diversity programs or a program that specially caters to sophomores.
Also, make sure to put that internship in your resume as soon as possible. That will look great, as long as you spin it to make it sound highly relevant. A friend of mine landed a role at an EB partially thanks to a CF role he had with a pharmaceutical firm either his freshman or sophomore year (can't remember - was a while ago).
If you're in a situation where you feel like you've exhausted your personal/alumni network, I know there are sites like https://www.thelobby.io/</a">this one where you can pay to talk directly to the bankers at the companies you're targeting for mock interviews/tips on getting an interview/etc. Know a number of people who have had positive experiences with the service, and it's something I would've used if it was around when I was an undergrad.
Would you definetly recommend applying to these positions for Bulge Bractkers as as a rising sophomore at a nontarget if just for the experience interviewing? Would it be bad if I looked like an idiot and left a bad impression?
Hmm, that's a bit of a tough one. If the banks have a sophomore program, definitely apply to that over their general IB summer analyst program. If you feel confident in your abilities and think you may have a shot at actually landing the role, feel free to apply as a sophomore. Just don't go into an interview and completely bomb it solely for the sake of getting practice. Bankers, particularly ones that are heavily involved in your school's recruitment, will remember that (of course, they may quickly forget it if you crush your interview the next year). Again, I'd recommend a service like the one above if you can save up the ~$60 bucks to do a proper practice interview 1) without any detriment to your future application, and 2) with detailed feedback on how to improve. Pretty easy investment to make once you think through the cost vs. possible outcome
Are you in the pipeline with any other companies?
I started the process 2 days ago so haven't heard back from anyone else yet apart from initial assessments from city and BofA.
Ah gotcha. Well to answer the question above, every school is generally open to non-ivy schools. You'll just have to find a creative way to get your foot in the door/stand out amongst all the noise. Morgan Stanley is the only one I've come across that has a major preference for target schools. JPM, BAML, Citi, and even GS are open to non-targets in general. Just make sure the resume is up to date and try to talk to some junior bankers ASAP to get guidance, since the recruitment season will be mostly wrapped up in the next month
Thanks for the reply, by the way how selective is it once you get to superday. I mean how likely are you to get the position once you make it to superday?
To answer this question it is always different but the number people look at for IB is usually 20-30% (There is a whole thread on WSO about superdays)
Now for my advice target sophomore programs as B.B. and other programs that cater to sophomores as these will prove to be very valuable in the future even if they are just 2 day events. Also, really work to get something this year even though it will be very difficult aim big but anything will put you in a better position when going into junior year internships.
Keep building your network and learning more about your options and what you want to do. Also, keep improving your resume. These things will contirubute to later success. There are amazing people on WSO make sure to keep utalizing the site.
Good Luck on your hunt and way to get in the game early!!
Attend s top LAC, network outside just your schools alumni. They will know the caliber school you went to and would likely help given that it’s a small circle. If you have a good GPA and know your stuff, then I think you’ll be fine.
People often discount them because they’re a lot smaller than even an Ivy, but the alumni have been helpful to me. If they’re a 2000 students, obviously in a class of 500 or so maybe 10% wants to go into IB. Then assuming 60% don’t network enough, don’t prepare enough, aren’t doing well enough academically, you’re down to 20 kids or so in a class- which is very good odds for a B.B./EB/top mm role
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