Rising Senior w/ 3.5 GPA at Non/Semi Target Who Needs Some Direction

Hi guys,

Thank you for reading this post, I am looking for honest, constructive feedback. I am currently a rising senior at a non/semi target school in the tri state area. I am majoring in Finance, and will be taking the bulk of my upper level finance courses as a senior. This summer, I will be interning with a small business (non finance role).

While my current resume has some work/volunteer experience (think- retail, gym, nonprofit, startup etc), it doesn't quite make me a compelling candidate for financial services. I am not looking to work in the more competitive divisions such as IB or S&T as I haven't landed a summer analyst role. I would be grateful to start off in a back/middle office role at a BB (or boutique/MM firm). I am just looking to get my foot in the door and hopefully advance within the firm or laterally. My network is certainly a weaker point of mine- do you guys have any advice on how I should approach informational interviews with alumni this summer? Is the purpose of them to introduce myself, explain my interest in a role and firm, and ask if there are more people in the firm I can be in touch with? Further questions below-

Is it still possible for me to land a FT role even without being a SA at the firm (and not having direct finance experience, though I believe I have some transferrable skills from my previous jobs)? Any success stories of people who took unconventional paths?

What are some legitimate reasons to pursue a hyper competitive field like finance? (I ask this question to myself all the time, I am pursuing financial services because I enjoy studying the subject in school and in my free time have read some classics such as "A Random Walk Down Wall Street", and because there is clear career progression and exit opps)

Based on my situation (rising senior, lack of relevant experience, looking to build a career in finance (particularly asset management)), what should I do this summer and during the school year to position myself as a competitive candidate for 2020 full time roles? I would appreciate any insight, thank you.