Searching for an internship as a freshman
Hello,
I'm new to WSO but I'm sure this has asked a million times before. I'm a freshman at a semi-target in the midwest with a 4.0 and majoring in finance with a minor in CS. I recently had an internship lined up for M&A Summer 2022 but it fell through unfortunately and they can't offer me a position anymore (it was through a friend's family friend). Now I'm on the hunt for Summer 2022 finance internships, literally anything works in Cleveland, OH. I don't have any finance connections through my family.
Would it be more beneficial to apply to internships through LinkedIn/Handshake or start sending out as many cold emails as I can to local boutiques? If you got an internship your freshman year what did you do to set yourself apart? Any advice is greatly appreciated
Thanks
Going to be honest its going to be hard to get any type of finance internship as a freshman (outside of diversity). Try to leverage any alumni connections or family friends for any opportunity. Can even be a cool start up company. Any experience goes a long way.
Best of luck.
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Cold emails to firms work
Would look for an internship at a local wealth mgmt firm. Doesn't have to be a BB shop. Look for a local Raymond James, Lincoln Financial (Sagemark), Ameriprise, etc. There are tons of local offices. I would put on a suit, walk in cold, and try to meet the head FA. These are branded small businesses, owned and operated by one or two people (generally). They're FAs but essentially are sales people. They can always use help in marketing, data, organization, systems, paraplanning, report generating, operations, etc. As one of them, I always appreciated kids with a professional appearance and motivation to walk in cold. Could even be part time for minimum wage. That's fine for freshmen summer and will help you secure a full time, more corporate type gig the following yr. Trust me, you'll be way ahead of your peers.
Also, here's to not obsessing about this now. You're young. Critical time for an internship is post junior. Of course anything prior is great. I would focus on doing well in school, actively participating in a few clubs that really peak your interest. Get involved. Take on leadership (that's huge). Most of all....HAVE FUN! College is about lots of things, not just lining up a job. You don't want to look back and say my whole time was spent posturing for X. Personal growth is key. That's what employers are really looking for.
Good luck.
I did a search fund internship my freshman year. Your experience will really depend on your founder’s background, but in the worst case scenario you’ll have some exposure to analyzing company financials and reading through CIMs. Also you get to spin your title/experience as being a “Private Equity Intern”. Just make sure you’re able to explain everything you’ve done at a high level and there should be no problems with this
Can I PM?
Sure thing
Send many cold emails to local boutiques, especially search funds. The work isn't that difficult, so founders won't mind giving internships to freshmen. Just google for search funds in your area.
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