Best Time to start reaching out/networking with bankers as a non-target freshman

Pretty much the title. I’m a freshman at a Midwest state school and understand the importance of networking. I am thinking about starting to reach out to bankers over winter break to start building my network but is it too early? What kind of questions should I be asking and what should I be prepared to answer or talk about during networking calls?

5 Comments
 

Do not reach out to bankers as a freshman! I would focus on trying to get an internship for this summer. So reach out to small boutiques, lmm PE and any other adjacent industries. What is really helpful is reaching to upperclassmen at your school that are going to work in banking if there are any. They will be the most helpful. Also I would wait until after break since you’ll actually have a GPA at that point.

 

I’ve been trying really hard to land something finance related all semester. Had a few interviews at small wealth management firms but nothing worked out. Technically I am able to claim I am a sophomore because of credits coming in from high school so I’ve also been doing that. Any recommendations or ideas on how I can land an internship for this summer?

 

Freshman internships is where you'll have to get creative since just applying online likely won't get you far. First I would look at what upperclassmen have done and reach out for advice. If not possible just email firms in/near your hometown that are finance adjacent and ask if they are willing to take an intern. I've also heard of people sending stock pitches to small HFs but Idk much about that. I personally lucked out with a cold email, but everyone's experience is different. Search funds are also an popular for freshman and you can do them remote during the school year, but unlikely to get much real experience through those.

 

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