What should I be doing?

I'm 17 years old and currently studying for my A-levels. I hope to work in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, asset management, or at a family office after university. I'm planning to take a gap year to travel before starting university, but I also intend to use that time to prepare for a career in finance.

My current plan is to email or call as many smaller investment banks, PE/VC firms, and family offices as possible to try and secure work experience or shadowing opportunities. Do you think it’s realistic for someone in my position to gain this kind of experience? If so, do you have any recommendations on firms that may accept me?  If not, what would you recommend I focus on in my gap year? Thanks.

7 Comments
 

Yes it’s possible, this is how my best friend got his current SA26 offer. Took a gap year, spam emailed every small IB/PE shop in his state and got an unpaid internship at one of them. Kept networking, transferred to a better school and now has an offer at a too-big-to-fail firm. It’s possible it just takes a long time and is a pain in the ass. Best of luck!

 

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