Equity Research Associate from Undergrad

Hi all - I am a May 2024 Finance graduate from Stetson University, a small private university in Florida, currently studying for the CFA Level 1 which I am taking in February and am the Portfolio Manager for our $5.5 Million student-run investment program. I have 1.5 years of equity research under my belt (in this program) have taken financial modelling courses as well as Python, R, Java, and C++ classes (CompSci minor). I did an internship for a Buy-Side Equity Fund Asset Management Firm in London over the summer where I had significant hands on experience and got to lead the research on a big trade. On top of all of this, I am a Division of Student-Athlete and captain of the golf team, and the marketing manager for a private software company which I have been doing for 3.5 years.

That said, I am not getting any traction with my job applications. I am submitting resume along with Equity Research reports/slide decks that I have conducted and made, and have spoken to many ER Associates at big banks such as Barclays and BNP Paribas, and they all seem to be very impressed with the work that I am doing - especially as a university student.

Any advice for the job application process? I understand it is a hard field to break into especially coming from a non-target university and with just an undergrad; but I feel well prepared to enter this industry and it is exactly what I want to be doing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!