SA Advice for Non-Finance Major

Hi all,

I managed to get a summer analyst position this year at a Big 5 Canadian bank. It will be in capital markets, but whether that is S&T or IB is still to be decided. The position was for students in non-business fields interested in getting involved in finance, so there were no technical questions asked in the application or during interview rounds. I have never taken a finance course but have in other areas of business (accounting, marketing). I’m very excited to be interning in a new field, but as an undergrad in the traditional sciences (think biology, chemistry, physics), I am wondering what I can do in the next six weeks to ensure I am prepared. I’ve been reading up on basic finance and learning SQL, but is there anything specific that is suggested I know to be successful?

Thanks!

5,785 WSO Academy Investment Banking Session Reviews: 4.82/5

Georgetown McDonough School of Business

Class of '29 Jul 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Mock Interview

“Julius was an excellent mentor and made the mock interview feel both challenging and constructive. He asked realistic investment banking questions and did a great job explaining not only what I could improve, but why certain answers were stronger. His feedback was specific, actionable, and immediately useful, particularly around structuring my responses and communicating my thought process more clearly. I also appreciated how approachable and encouraging he was throughout the session. I came away with several concrete takeaways that I can apply to future interviews, and I would absolutely work with Julius again. ”

SDA Bocconi School of Management

Class of '25 Oct 2026 Cohort

4.70/5

Investment Banking Full Resume Review

“The mentoring sessions were extremely valuable and played an important role in improving both the quality and the overall presentation of my CV. The mentor took the time to go through every single aspect of the document in great detail, providing clear and practical feedback on the content, structure, wording, and overall positioning of my experiences. One of the most valuable aspects of the sessions was the mentor’s ability to understand the specific requirements and expectations of the Investment Banking industry. Rather than simply making general improvements, he carefully reviewed each section of my CV and helped me identify how to better present my academic background, professional experiences, skills, and achievements in a way that is relevant and attractive to Investment Banking recruiters. The mentor also completely restructured the CV, helping me move from an initial version to a polished final format specifically suited to Investment Banking applications. The final result was much more concise, professional, and impactful, while ensuring that the most relevant information was clearly highlighted. His attention to detail was particularly helpful in improving the wording and making each bullet point more focused on achievements and measurable impact. Another aspect I particularly appreciated was his responsiveness. He was extremely quick in answering my questions and providing feedback, which made the entire process very efficient. Whenever I had doubts or needed clarification, I received a prompt and detailed response, allowing me to continuously improve the CV without unnecessary delays. Overall, the mentoring sessions provided significant value and gave me a much clearer understanding of how to position my profile for Investment Banking opportunities. I am very satisfied with the final version of my CV and with the level of guidance and support provided throughout the process. I would highly recommend this mentoring experience to anyone looking to strengthen their CV and prepare it effectively for a career in Investment Banking.”

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Get ready to learn a lot of stuff Accounting The basics of accounting- the four statements -Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Stock Holder's Equity, State of Cashflow Finance - Systematic Risk, CAPM, Alpha, Beta, Stocks, Bond, Market Capitalization, Debt, Enterprise Value, MACD, RSI, Market Risk Premium Economics -Macro and Micro-Economics, Supply and Demand Graph Computer Science -SQL, Python, Excel, Powerpoint and presentation in emails Start learning early

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SA Advice for Non-Finance Major

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SA Advice for Non-Finance Major

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