Am I too young ?
I'm about to start uni at a UK semi-target on a 4 year course, starting September (technically top 5 school in UK) . Id be only just 18 years old in time for spring weeks of 2019, and would be 17 for recruiting. I have a week of work experience at a small PE fund, but was only 16 so does it even count in the eyes of banks? I want to intern in spring and summer of 2019 in my fist year of uni to maximise my experience and show Iv been committed to a career in finance from early on, so do I have a chance or should I wait till my second year ? Any advice to gain decent experience at this stage? Thanks in advance for any advice
If you went to a target middle school you're fine.
In seriousness though, how did you end up in your position so young?
At least in the US you have to be 18 to apply, and 18 to sign a contract
Put the PE internship on your resume until you have enough experience to take it off, it shows an interest in finance
At 18 I was working and studying full time in a financial markets brokerage department in the biggest bank of my country. I am sure you can find anything related pretty easy if you will try. Good luck!
For spring weeks you should apply during your 2nd year as you are on a 4 year course. Just curious what uni you consider a semi top 5 in the UK, is that kings? Because the top 5 is Oxford/Cambridge/LSE/Imperial/UCL and all 5 are targets.
Probably meant top 5 for a specific course.... or student satisfaction.
In most cases it is not relevant, the name of the uni will carry more weight than the course ranking. On the guardian I bet you could find Sheffield Hallam top 5 for a course although everyone knows the uni is deep shit.
It is definitely possible to get an internship
I've done it, but it's true that you may not have access to the "ideal" internship yet - that's precisely the reason it's good to get a head start. Might be intimidating but don't be scared of trying.
How Young Is Too Young? (Originally Posted: 06/16/2010)
I can see half the people reading this post rolling their eyes and thinking "whats wrong with this dude"?, but let's be honest, a site like WSO attracts more than its fair share of over achievers, many of whom will starting interning straight out of HS. I have a similar problem, and will be graduating a couple years early, and was hoping to get a perspective on the general outlook on wannabe Dougie Howsers/ Erich Mindich. I will be interviewing for full time recruiting this fall, and was wondering if age would be an impediment or a boost.
1) I will be 19 upon graduation, should I omit my age (illegal to ask for it anyway) or should I stress my age as ambition.
2) How does the perception vary between ER vs. IBD vs. buyside?
I have previously interned and currently interning at a number of BB's (started at 17) and have generally not mentioned my age. On the flip side when I interviewed with HF's for off cycle internships, they seem to view it as a sign of ambition rather than a mark of naivety. My other stats are ok (3.9 cum, Series 7, 3 languages, CFA level 1 in December), and was just wondering if it is something that will help or hurt.
Any advice would be appreciated.
If you're not a troll, you should do great. Age won't matter as long as you can make them money. Show them that you can make them money and nothing else matters.
well, I feel like an underachiever.
go get it bro, you'll have no problems with those stats
Most banks couldn't care less how old you are as long as you perform. Assuming you have good recommendations from your previous BB internships you should be just fine. I don't see it as being an impediment or a boost. The bottom line is unless you act like some jackass 19 year old nobody will ask or care how old you are.
I wouldn't go out of my way to tell them I was 19, what are the benefits? It shows you are hard working and ambitious, which is great, but so are most BB bankers.
I don't there will be much difference between groups. If you perform they will like you if you don't they won't.
Only thing that I'll say is that you'd be hard pressed to keep your age a secret over the course of your analyst program. I wouldn't go out of my way to point it out, but I wouldn't be shady about hiding it.
since most analyst programs are very structured.. next to nobody will ask you for your age outright since they'll just assume you're more or less the same age as everyone else in your year... there's no point in pointing it out
if you say that you're 19 and make it come off like you're ambitious.. you walk the fine line of overkill and too much ambition isn't always a good thing... the key is to stress your other stats which are going to be the key focus points anyway
Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate it.
What am I doing with my life?...
Too young? (Originally Posted: 05/23/2013)
I'll be 21 years old when I start my full time position at a BB in September, in a city I've only ever been to once where I know nobody. As I'm finishing my degree I'm getting really cold feet about this, I still feel very young. I see guys in suits on the train and can't imagine myself there(Did no banking/commercial internships). Just out for some reassurance, should i travel the world instead? most of you must have gone through this?
once you're in, there'll be lot's of introduction networking events where you'll meet peers. most of the analysts start early so what? you'll see kids like yourself and will feel better. relax and enjoy.
you can take a year off after some experience , imo. now secure your position, stand on your 2 feet and don't panic.
Since you probably gonna hate yourself if you don't get a new chance at a BB, you should probably go ahead and start your FT. If it sucks, well then quit, at least you have had the chance to evaluate the place.
I usually hate the first couple of weeks at a new job for some reason.
You'll be fine, most 1st year analysts are in their early twenties. Though I must admit, 21 is pretty young, how did you manage to secure this position?
I was 21 when I started and most other kids were 22. It will not be a big deal. If it is at a BB there will probably be some 6-8 week training program as well so I wouldn't worry about having no experience. Just go in with a positive attitude and willing to put the work in.
I wouldn't say 21 is young at all. Most graduate at 22 but I know plenty who have late birthdays and where 21 at graduation.
21 is not young. A typical Brit will start as an analyst at 21 while Continental Euros are lucky to start full-time at 23. I had just turned 20 when I started full-time after college (not at a BB or in IBD however) which was a little weird come bar time but totally fine beyond that.
I started training as a first year when I was 20 (turned 21 a month into the job). As long as you act like how a normal analyst is supposed to act, no one's going to notice. Just relax.
Are you doing IBD? Your training program will be a great transition period. Half college/half real life.
It takes a few months to get used to working full time and probably even longer to get used to working 2x full time, but you will adjust. Cold feet is nothing out of the ordinary, just don't overreact.
What city are you going to, if you don't mind me asking? Reach out to some people in the city (alums, family friends, friends of friends, randos on WSO, etc.) before you move and see if you can meet up for drinks/coffee when you get there to show you the ropes.
too young is just a name in china
It would actually be "tu yung"
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