Thank!

It’s not vital that you have an internship every summer much less freshman summer. If you truly aren’t stoked by the position, I’d say enjoy your summer. The way I see it, the only reason you’d need a shit ton of relevant experience is to make up for some other lacking credentials (low GPA, criminal record, etc). I scored a FTO after just one fall IB internship my senior year of college. My other internships were in wealth and portfolio management. I’d say I’m unique, and that’s not what your goal should be, but you have your whole life to be doing shitty grind work.

I would take it. If you want to stand out as a non-target, you should take any experience you can get. That being said, I was a bartender for my first two summers in college and didn't get a finance internship until my Junior year and I ended up okay. If the internship is terrible, just do it for like 8-12 weeks. 

Take it but don't stress it

Agree, take it. Great experience being organized and working in a real work environment for a freshman summer

Would definitely take it, don't have to work that hard or try to overachieve but getting that first internship will allow you to leverage it and get other internships easier. It will give you something to talk about if you recruit for your school's IB club/try to land a sophomore SA internship. I also came from a nontarget and did 3 unpaid internships before my junior SA role, which ultimately helped me land a NY BB role. I didn't work that hard the first summer and was leaving early afternoon. Just ask for a 6 week internship, especially if you're not getting paid.

You’re a nontarget international student which is going to make IB recuriting relatively harder - give yourself as many advantages as possible.

Def, take it. Scouting targets is a great skill: buyside, sellside, Corp Dev. , Research, etc.

My freshman year summer, I think I played video games and worked at a nursing home.

International student here as well.

The advice I’ve been getting from senior students are don’t be picky, especially if you are not from a big target. There are just so many banks/places that would sponsor so that limits the chance anyways and you really need to have a competitive background to land somewhere. This internship might be a great start.

You’ll only have one summer before recruiting starts sadly, I feel like enjoying your first summer is a thing of the past

Definitely take it, you need to go the extra mile as an international student these days! You can still enjoy your summer while working, it doesn‘t sound like hours are too bad at that FO. I personally don‘t think these „enjoy your summer“ advices are helpful, be aware there‘s some selection bias here on this forum! Make sure you have 1-2 weeks before or after the internship and weekends during the summer to enjoy!

Source: Former international student

Do it, but only for a few weeks. Don’t blow the entirety of one of your last few summers

Disagree with other comments telling you to chill. Being international AND non target is a huge obstacle when it comes to junior recruiting. Definitely take the internship in order to stand out. I am an international too and unfortunately this is what you have to do to break in

This is a search fund internship. Not an actual PE internship.