Possible to get junior internship with no previous internship?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and actionable steps to improve your chances of landing an investment banking (IB) internship:

Military Experience

• Highlight Leadership and Discipline: Your military experience, especially with commendations from high-ranking officials, demonstrates strong leadership, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. These are highly valued traits in IB.
• Presentation Skills: Winning a presentation competition is a significant achievement. Emphasize your communication and presentation skills, which are crucial in IB.

Lack of Finance Experience

• Networking: Start networking aggressively. Reach out to alumni from your university who are in the finance industry. Use LinkedIn and your university's career services to find connections.
• Cold Emails: Send cold emails to boutique investment banks and private equity firms. Explain your unique background and express your eagerness to learn and contribute.
• Relevant Coursework: If you haven't already, enroll in finance-related courses. Highlight any relevant coursework on your resume.

Extracurricular Activities (ECs)

• Join Finance Clubs: Get involved in finance or investment clubs at your university. This will help you gain relevant experience and network with like-minded peers.
• Competitions: Participate in finance-related competitions, such as stock pitch competitions or case studies. These can provide practical experience and enhance your resume.

Additional Steps

• Internships: Look for internships in related fields such as private equity, hedge funds, wealth management, or corporate finance. These can provide valuable experience and make your resume more attractive.
• Certifications: Consider obtaining certifications such as the CFA Level 1 or other relevant finance certifications. This can demonstrate your commitment to the field.
• Resume and Interview Prep: Use resources like the WSO Resume Review and WSO Elite Modeling Package to refine your resume and prepare for interviews.

Conclusion

While you may not have direct finance experience, your military background and academic achievements can set you apart. Focus on networking, gaining relevant experience through internships or extracurricular activities, and continuously improving your finance knowledge and skills.

For more detailed advice, you can explore similar threads on WSO or reach out to mentors in the industry.

Sources: Landing Finance Internship With No Prior Experience for the Fall, Get a load of this shit., How hard will it be to find an internship/job without internship experience?, Pre-Investment Banking Internship: Calling all freshmen and sophomores, Has anyone landed an analyst/associate role in Asset Mgmt or Equity Research with no experience? How?