Vals Internship to IB: how to lateral?

Dear apes,

I’m a senior at a non-target (w an IB program I didn’t get into), 3.75 GPA. Did an internship in valuation over the summer. Now another Vals internship at a boutique IB which I’ll finish throughout my last year. The vals internship for the boutique is mainly for annual valuations, but there are some fairness opinions, m&a, etc involved that they want an independent valuation.

I would consider my technicals to be great. My knowledge of M&A… Not the best. I’m interested in M&A, Lev Fin, Private Credit, and even Fixed Income AM.

My networking has been a serious shot in the dark.

I’m just looking to move to something higher paying and more interesting.

Any advice on how to better sell myself, where w my experience I should be looking at, etc…? Who to reach out to? Etc…

Best,
A lost ape