Freshmen Internship?

Does anyone have advice for a college freshman at a semi-target (think IU Kelley, CMU Tepper, BC, etc) looking to beak into investment banking for a summer internship? Where to look/how to go about building experience?

4 Comments
 

Hey there, future finance whiz! You're asking all the right questions at the right time. Here's some advice based on the most helpful WSO content:

  1. Start Early: The finance world is competitive, especially when it comes to internships. The earlier you start preparing, the better.

  2. Networking: This is key in the finance world. Start building relationships with professionals in the industry. Attend networking events, reach out to alumni, and don't be afraid to cold-email people at firms you're interested in.

  3. Local and Boutique Firms: As a freshman, your best bet might be to look at local, middle-market, and boutique investment banking firms. They might be more open to giving a freshman a chance.

  4. Back Office or Middle Office Roles: These roles can be a great stepping stone. They might not be as glamorous as front office roles, but they'll give you valuable experience and a foot in the door.

  5. Cold-Emailing: There are plenty of templates on WSO that you can use as a starting point. Remember, it's a numbers game. The more people you contact, the higher your chances of getting a response.

  6. Internship Search: Look for banks that offer summer internships to freshmen. Some firms do offer paid internships to freshmen, so do your research.

  7. Build Your Skills: While you're still in school, focus on courses that will give you the skills you need in investment banking. This could be anything from finance and economics to communication and business strategy.

Remember, it's not going to be easy, but with determination and the right approach, you can land that dream internship. Good luck!

Sources: Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, Banks that offer summer internships to Freshman?, Tips for Getting an internship in Investment Banking as a freshman, As A Soon-To-Be College Freshman, What Should I Do This Fall?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Dolores est deleniti est id illum eius ipsam. Ducimus laboriosam ducimus ut quasi qui dolore ratione. Voluptatum distinctio alias iste rerum sunt repudiandae perspiciatis asperiores. Iure enim deleniti exercitationem esse rem itaque. Dolor est enim aperiam. Molestiae quis aliquam molestiae qui et eveniet harum optio. Et numquam esse recusandae delectus quam iusto corporis.

Sed nihil et ut officiis quaerat. Perspiciatis enim sequi deleniti aut officiis. Fuga dolorem voluptatem porro et maxime aut cupiditate. Saepe dolorum exercitationem voluptatem eum.

Non harum doloremque itaque id reiciendis. Quibusdam iste et id molestiae adipisci.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”