How much should I ask to get paid at this internship?

I recently interviewed at a mutual fund. If I get the position I would be assisting their analysts in doing their research on various companies within the energy sector. The interview went really well but I froze on the question "how much are you looking to get paid?" I wasn't sure what to say. This would be my first job in any kind of finance related position.

Right now I am a sophomore studying Finance. I am actively involved in my school's student investment society for which I am the head energy sector analyst. I also started to write for The Motley Fool and mostly look at the energy sector in my articles. I really don't have any idea of what to ask for in terms of pay. What is a normal hourly wage at a position like this for someone with my amount of experience?

6 Comments
 

I'd say somewhere in the $15-20 range would be fair for a sophomore internship. I worked in a more operational role at a MF sophomore year for $15 and got the same senior year at a much smaller company in a research role, as some of it comes down to what they can afford/willing to pay. I had friends at bigger names getting up to around $25/hr after a few internships, so it all depends

Array
 

When they ask this question, I think usually its not to see what you "acutally" want to get paid.

I usually answer with something along the lines of: Tbh, I am not concerned about pay right now for an internship because I would rather focus on the opportunity to learn as much as can

If they follow up and ask you what you actually want to get paid: just say whatever is comparable to market (assuming you did your research on like glassdoor or something)

 

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