Internships - Best Substitute/Alternative ???

Hello fellow monkeys,

Let's say one is so unfortunate (or maybe incompetent, at this stage) that he cannot get any summer internships during university years. However, he's still persistent with his dream of working for one of the BB in the future.

If you were in his shoes, what will be your next move to still have a chance in fulfilling your ambition. What is the next best alternative to a summer internship that one can have in order to still be of any interest to BB employers after graduation..?

Thanks!

3 Comments
 

I would like to know this too. I spoke to the HR who rejected me at my final interview, she basically told me to find any related internships or do volunteering work. Then again, things are a bit different here in the UK.

Being a prospective monkey I am bound to post stupid comments due to my lack of expert knowledge. I implore you to correct me harshly or constructively, and I will appreciate any learning opportunity.
 
Best Response

The summer before I did FT recruitment and landed at a BB (not IBD however, but that also wasn't what I was interested in) I worked at a small random, non-finance company, but did all their financials. It does leave you with a little more explaining to do, but by no means was detrimental to me.

Also, if you do work at a small company, and you're applying to small banks (I know you prefer BB), you can also say you really like the atmosphere in a small, entrepreneurial environment, etc. On the flip side, if you are interviewing at a BB, you could also say that you felt it was too small and are ready to get into a bigger place or something.

Remember, once you're inside you're on your own. Oh, you mean I can't count on you? No. Good!
 

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Remember, once you're inside you're on your own. Oh, you mean I can't count on you? No. Good!

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