Best things to do now to have a career on Wall Street
What are the best things I can do now to prepare/ set myself up for a career on Wall Street? I am a junior in highschool in a midsized city. I have an internship with a local financial advisor set up. I am continually learning more and more about Wall Street and the financial markets but as of right now I have nothing significant that I could show to colleges. Other than keeping my grades up and doing that internship, what else could I do? Would managing my own portfolio since 8th grade be something to mention? What did you guys do? Also, we’re any of you recruited athletes in high school? If so, what are some tips on getting recruited?
Well if you're keeping your grades up and have had an internship then you are on a good path. If you want to work on Wall Street, you're main focus right now should be getting into a good college. DESTROY the SAT/ACT. I'm serious. Study for that shit everyday. The tests suck, but are entirely learnable and, in hindsight, aren't that much of a commitment to study for if you start early rather than waiting until the end of your junior year like my dumb ass did. Also make sure you're joining clubs, have good relationships with a few teachers for LORs, and start thinking about your essays. Sounds like you're an athlete, which is also a huge plus. Get into a target school, keep your grades up, network with alumni, learn technicals, and join a finance club. Try interning at places early on, but make sure to apply for Summer Analyst roles in the spring of your Sophomore year (you typically do you're SA role the summer after your junior year but banks recruit early). Then you're set.
I personally was a pretty mediocre high school student (I wasn't terrible, but it wasn't like I was near the top of my class or anything) and I kick myself everyday for not trying harder. I found college more difficult but graduated with a GPA way higher than my high school GPA because I studied. I ended up getting into a good school though and now work in IB.
What about being an athlete is an advantage in the admissions process? I’ve been told it is a total waste of 15+ hours a week if I want to get into a good school. I have sort of found a way to show sports as a passion to serve the low income and youth. I organize flag football camps at the local low income area elementary school. I feel like that sounds good on my application but will I be rejected to go not having as many extracurricular activities as other applicants that are non athletes? I have been an athlete since I was 6 years old so that might also show that I have committed to something just like applicants that have committed to learning an instrument, right?
Being part of a competitive team shows that you know how to work in groups and on a team of people. It shows you are dedicated and committed and are more than a book student. It shows you can time manage by showing up to practice and still getting your schoolwork done.
Thanks for the response. I feel like the book worms are the ones telling me that sports are a waste of time.
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