I’ve spent hours and hours studying for technicals and cold emailing doing anything I can to try and secure an interview, however nothing seems to be coming of it. I know I want a career in IB but since I am at a small liberal arts school that has essentially no connections to any type of IB firms It feels impossible to even get my foot in the door. Is there anything I can do if I don’t secure an internship for the summer or is it a lost cause?
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +192 | UBS Accused of Favoring H-1B Workers While Cutting U.S.-Born Employees | 50 | 3h |
| +96 | IB Energy Drink Tier List / Ranking | 67 | 12m |
| +82 | PJT M&A Group Selection 2026 | 13 | 1d |
| +70 | ONLY THESE BANKS OR YOU STRUCK OUT | 27 | 3h |
| +34 | Feedback for internship first desk at IBD BB - personal fit, "don't be too confident" | 23 | 1d |
| +28 | Does BofA still pay its associates rat pellets? | 14 | 18h |
| +21 | Stay at Weak Dealflow Team or Lateral? | 3 | 6h |
| +21 | Firm Thinks I'm Lying About Offer | 5 | 46m |
| +19 | Updated JPM Group Rankings | 30 | 19h |
| +19 | VP Deal Origination Credit | 2 | 1d |
Career Resources
Not sure what to tell you man, but I feel your pain. I'm also at a small LAC that has only a few alumni in IB. Just keep grinding. A lot of alums from my school in IB started in other finance roles and either transitioned to IB after a year or after their MBA. Also don't shy away from very small boutiques. Couple alums i've connected with started at extremely small firms (20 people) and lateraled to BB/EB's after a year. I also think a solid liberal arts education will serve you well in the long term anyway
I'll add that I do think it's quite annoying that I go to a school with an average SAT score of 1500+ and people act as if it's miles below an Ivy or other top uni, but I guess that's just how things work right now.
I feel you. I go to a LAC that has a sub 7% acceptance rate (lower than UPenn and Brown) but unfortunately we don’t have a history of sending students to investment banks and the alums are few and far between.
Damn... didn't even know there was a LAC that had a sub 7% acceptance rate lol, do you regret going to the LAC now? Cuz I can't help but feel a tad sliver regret right now considering recruiting has been tough
Doloremque velit illum repellendus porro dignissimos beatae. Ipsa perferendis nostrum facilis amet quos quibusdam ut sed. Perferendis reiciendis et molestiae earum nemo. Autem sunt qui vel animi repudiandae nihil. Ad pariatur velit nobis consequatur. Quis asperiores occaecati magni eos reprehenderit atque.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...