Not to sound like an idiot, but where can a HS senior start?
So unlike the average high schooler in their second semester of senior year, I’m not “vibing with the bros” or dicking around and basically I’m a “crackhead” (not literally) but I’m super interested in banking/ consulting, and also the startup scene and PE/VC. I’m off to a semi target (WashU) and I want to hit the ground running in the fall. I’ve started reaching out to alums who went to my college and asked them about their experiences so hopefully that counts to some extent as “networking” and I’m trying my hardest to get my name out there. More importantly, I want to expose myself to the content of IB/ consulting and PE before I get to college so I can hit the ground running. From what I’ve gotten for banking if you want a strong gig as an undergrad, you don’t get much time to decide and play around if you’re not at Wharton, stern, an ivy, or Ross. Does anyone have any recommendations on books to read or courses to take to learn the basics and inner workings of what goes into IB/ consulting (I know they’re different fields but this is for both industries I’m not sure why I’m attracted to both). This stuff is genuinely interesting and while I like money, I also like the connection high finance has with the global market and I want to contribute to some capacity.
tl;dr I’m interested in banking/consulting/PE (different industries) and as a senior in HS I want some books to read or courses to take to determine if I really want to further explore this field and I’m in search of recommendations.
hey, never too early to start asking questions. the most important thing is though, don’t forget to enjoy your senior year!!! you never get hs back. pm me if you want. down to talk further
Bro that's cool and all but if you're not vibin you're not financin. Bro I'm gonna have to vibe check you. Bro, no pusses allowed in high finance.
Get a 4.0. Also, look for internships.
Enthusiasm is great but I would recommend not trying to network until at least second semester of your freshman year (once you have a GPA). Emails from a high schooler come off way too eager and honestly get your name out there in the wrong way.
Not having much time to play around comes into play for sophomores who are still figuring out their major. If you're set on finance as a freshman it will probably feel pretty slow.
Concrete steps: - get involved in clubs on campus (WashU IBA, as well as clubs/orgs outside of finance) - strong GPA goes without saying - look for freshman summer internships (probably won't be IB. startups, PWM, very small PE offices are good places to look) - probably the most important for you: maintain a social life and other interests. being a "crackhead" who is obsessed with IB is not a good look for recruiting. people get rejected all the time for being hardos or overly into finance. it's a very fine line and the ideal candidate is smart/interested enough but also someone I want to spend many hours a week with. other interests (sports, involvement in non-finance campus orgs, unique hobbies) are equally important.
This is great advice! Thank you for this detailed response! I definitely haven’t thought of the more personal aspect of all this and I think I got way too caught up in trying to get ahead when there’s no reason to (especially since I’m in high school). And I do agree with the social aspect as you are right; why would someone want to be around a finance “hardo” who is nothing but work for 80-100 hours a week? This was great advice overall and it was a good reminder of what to keep in mind going into college.
So basically you are interested in 4 different things? You are in high school relax and be normal until college starts. Being weird/not sociable is going to hurt you.
get laid lol
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