underprepared for internship, pls help

Hello Monkeys,

I’m starting an investment banking internship at the end of this month (spring internship) and I feel massively underprepared. Everyone keeps telling me I’ll learn everything on the job, but I’m genuinely worried I’m going to embarrass myself or get fired in the first week. During the interview, I got very lucky (they asked a few basic technical/accounting questions that I happened to know, and I ended up landing the offer, but in reality I’ve done basically no technical prep and have almost no real experience).

The role is LMM M&A, and I really want to make a strong impression and add value instead of being dead weight. For those who have been in a similar spot, what would you focus on if you had two weeks to get up to speed quickly? Any specific resources, checklists, or habits that helped you not look clueless when you hit the desk would be massively appreciated. Thanks WSO community!

4 Comments
 

honestly fake it till you make it. im a lib arts major who didn't know jack shit at a BB in NYC this summer - basically got the job with easy technicals i crammed the night before during my superday lmao. you eventually learn everything on the job. being to be quick in excel / ppt (copy as many models / formats etc), replying to emails quickly, sending edits, printing books was fine - its not rocket science.

 

Thanks a ton, I really appreciate it. Anything in particular you saw more of on the job you wished you had went over ahead of time?

 

Not really, but for IB, it was helpful knowing the Excel shortcuts well, which took a week to learn. I am also really good with Windows and fairly techy, which helped. 

 

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