Bad GPA, No Experience... Where can I go from here as a freshman?

1. Get your GPA up. If you have to switch to another major, then do it.
2. Take time off if necessary
3. Look for Private Wealth Management (PWM) jobs. They're usually mindless but they get you on the radar
4. Next year, realize that the formal recruiting cycle starts in the first few weeks of school, so jump on it
5. Read up here and mergers and inquisitions . com

6. NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK, reach out to people and ask for their help, opinions, whatever

7. just curious, are you on maternity leave?

3.0 from UC isn't that bad man. And most freshman don't have any experience either. If they do it is usually some BS private wealth management gig that is seen as a sort of rite of passage into finance.

You could still easily secure something in PWM or just look for something unpaid. If I were you though I would try to do some sort of study abroad or volunteer program this summer. That way you begin to shape your story in a way that will differentiate you from your peers for next summer. Take a deep breath and relax.

lol@happy

Freshman: This isn't the end of the world. This is your first freaking year. Just network with and talk to people. Someone might toss you an unpaid internship. Also, remember not to be intimidated. Just talk to people like they are your friends and you're trying to learn something from them (except I wouldn't be dropping F-bombs and bringing up hookers and blow, you can use common sense here).

OP, I went to UChicago also and have some advice in that regard...

1. If Econ comes out being too hard, switch to PoliSci or Philosophy and take Booth classes as electives...banking doesn't care much if you majored in Econ, and if it's going to compromise your GPA, that's a hell of a lot worse than a liberal arts degree.
2. Join CCIB, The Blue Chips, etc...this should be obvious.
3. Network network network network network. Set up informational interviews with people (you're in Chicago, a major finance hub) so you can ask them for an interview for a SA gig later on.
4. Look at your resume and think about everything on it carefully to see how you can build a "I want to do this" story out of it. Once you've done that, make sure that the next steps you take will continue to follow this story and proceed logically to a career in finance.

I did not do ANY of the above and I'm paying the price now. You're only two quarters in and have plenty of time to turn it around, even if it means dropping Econ. I can tell you right now if you are taking ECON 198/199 or MATH 151-153 and not scoring strong A-s or As in them, you're in for a very rough ride. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or want more info.

Hey,

Go on google, and type in: "Investment Bank" [Your City]. Similarly, do the same for Hedge Funds. I am sure there are a number of firms willing to take on an intern (paid/unpaid). A lot of start ups need help.

Cheers.