What am I doing wrong or can do different/overall advice
I'm reaching out because I'm currently facing a challenge in my internship search and am determined to overcome it. I'm open to any advice or guidance that can help me navigate this situation more effectively. Your insights would be greatly appreciated.
I am a junior at university and have been applying for internships since August 24 for summer 24/25. I've applied for REPE/PE, S&T, wealth management, asset/portfolio management, RE development, private credit, and some general finance internship opportunities. I know PE without previous IB experience is difficult, so I tried to cast a wide net. It's been so incredibly hard to get anything. I've sent 60+ applications, and of that, I heard back from 4 after interviews, which unfortunately got denied, and now I'm waiting to hear back on some others.
I have a high GPA and am also an honors student; I made the dean's list and will make it again this semester. I'm involved in different organizations on campus and helped create a fund similar to the Leveraged Lion Capital at PennState, of which I am the VP. I have prior RE asset management experience via internship and have completed some modeling courses. I have also networked with over 40+ individuals from all these industries, met many nice people, and learned a lot. However, I just can't understand what I am doing wrong. I feel like I check the boxes, yet struggle to get anything, and can't figure out why.
Some have told me that it's getting harder and harder to get internships and that some companies simply can't afford to take on interns. Others say that the spots are just getting smaller and smaller for interns. What else can I do to stand out? Did I do something wrong? How should I navigate this current issue? Any advice is appreciated
60 apps? You haven’t even started. Try 500+.
didn't realize these were rookie numbers hahaha. I've mostly been applying to cities near me, not across the country, have you seen success with 500 apps?
I started pursuing banking world in this past fall (my Junior year). So I was spending ~8hrs a week trying to apply to all the crumbs left behind for this junior-senior summer. Unless you are this late (and dumb) as me, I don’t recommend it. Quality over quantity. Do the proper networking/research route for every position and spend a few hours per app customizing your resume/cover letter to each one.
Also this is speculation on my end, but prioritize the positions that most recently opened up/started accepting apps. If one spot says it was opened 2d ago vs 1mo ago, I’d get that first one done as soon as possible. The few times I had a recruiter personally reach out to tell me I was rejected or put on SD waitlist, it was bc I applied literally 1h after they posted the position plus I managed to find the recruiter for the opening and commented on their most recent linkedin post that I had applied. The less effort you put into app, the less effort you’ll receive from the other side too.
Seems like I have done similar things. I've been applying since the summer starting around mid-July if I'm not mistaken not sure if this is considered late or not. I also tailor my resume per field and do that for questions when networking with individuals. I will say I networked much more in some fields than others which may or may not have hurt me long term. I agree I do always prioritize to apply to the most recent ones that open and focus less on the ones that have been open for a while. I do reach out to recruiters but I haven't been getting much luck however. I wouldn't say I don't put effort because I do, it's something really important to me and I do it daily.
Eligendi deserunt corrupti ad corporis eius. Eius consequatur dolor consequatur est aut explicabo. Qui sed quo placeat consequatur sit occaecati. Et doloremque aliquid hic sapiente qui fugiat dolores. Ut et dolore dolores eligendi consequuntur.
Ut praesentium aliquid quidem minima. Consequuntur quo consequatur totam voluptates. Porro optio ut consequatur blanditiis quidem porro et.
Aperiam doloremque occaecati vitae tempora. Quod voluptatem perspiciatis placeat temporibus debitis vero earum aut.
Voluptas ea corporis sit quas voluptatum explicabo. Sed quam voluptatem omnis eum aspernatur velit magnam voluptatibus. Nihil sit vitae enim ea aspernatur. Explicabo saepe accusamus molestiae autem in voluptatem aperiam fugiat. Vitae animi deserunt occaecati commodi. Dolores voluptas doloribus autem reiciendis rerum libero.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...