Awkward Career Fair/Networking Stories

Undergoing recruitment is a very stressful process and one term that is constantly thrown at your face is "networking". With the pressure to network, students attend career fairs and networking sessions in hopes of getting that dream connection that finally lands their resume in the "yes" pile (or not). But like everything in life, networking never goes smoothly all the time.

With career fairs and networking sessions well under way at most universities, what are some awkward/embarrassing stories that you have heard of or even experienced while attending these events?

9 Comments
 

I had a kid who interned at BAML, I asked him if he was thinking about returning FT and if so, when did he have to decide by. He gave me a date of 10 days ago, so I said "Oh, so you declined it?" and he responded "No, I accepted it." He also mentioned that he knew my roommate, who was FT in the program he interned for.

We dinged him and I'm pretty sure BAML took away his offer.

 
Best Response

After finally deciding that I was going to pursue a career in Business, I met with my academic adviser, spoke with a few professors and hurriedly went to catch the last few hours left of our school career fair.

Dressed in suit and tie, I was nervous but excited at the same time. As I entered the school gym, I saw a bunch of students wearing shorts and flip flops. I thought "am I in the wrong building?". Sad to say, no I was not.

I looked around and the only "big name" company was... Panda Express - Seeking Store Managers!

Needless to say, that was when I truly learned what "Non-Target University" meant.

I was not only embarrassed but ashamed of myself...

Good thing it all worked out in the end =)

 

One year my uni had a networking event where all the big names from IB, Consulting and other prop firms etc were there. I went with a few friends that are all keen and knowledgable, accompanied by another friend that's just there 'to check it out'.

I was speaking to a BAML associate (IBD maybe metals mining), was having a great chat.

My friend that wasn't so knowledgable walked by us and naturally I introduced him to the BAML associate.

First Question he asked: "Does your job involve a lot of finance?"

still laughing thinking about it now. The associate was VERY kind and patient haha.

“Everything's coming up Milhouse!”
 

Quae aliquam rem et maxime. Similique quidem eum ut id iusto ex.

Tenetur ut eos est dolores architecto culpa quaerat. Reprehenderit voluptatem natus quae et voluptas error molestias. Nobis suscipit dolores nam nihil natus. Asperiores nihil dolores et ad tempora a aliquid exercitationem. Et quos veniam vel voluptatem tenetur. Velit laborum quia pariatur ut minus fugit voluptatem.

Quia corrupti eligendi at id error. Porro quo vel quia excepturi. Odit veritatis molestias impedit non earum. Possimus impedit eveniet earum aut quas. Numquam consequuntur natus dolor labore iusto officiis. Eligendi soluta laborum aut quia. Facilis voluptatem facere occaecati qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”