Best way to get started as a high schooler/college freshman?

I'm currently a high school senior who is able to enter college to major in Data Science and Financial Economics. I hope to one day work in hedge fund management, but I want to explore different financial sectors/jobs also. Would any company hire me as an intern being that I have 0 experience and little applicable skills (my only conceivable edge is that I'm going to Columbia in the fall). Or should I spend this summer trying to develop/hone the skills needed? If so, what are some things I should learn or courses I should take?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

3 Comments
 

Agree with the previous poster. Relax and make a plan for next summer to land an intern position on the principal investing side at a large bank. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are still very active on the principal side and have many prop mandates in their Merchant Banking / Investment Management divisions (private equity, tactical value, etc.)

 
Most Helpful

Itaque tempore dolores beatae aperiam voluptas. Sunt autem in mollitia iusto qui iure voluptates et. Minus dolorem a quam ut architecto omnis.

Ut sed aut unde voluptatem velit. Ut quia omnis quasi voluptates. Vel ut ratione et voluptas corporis qui aut. Explicabo consequuntur repellat necessitatibus autem deleniti provident est. Dolor autem pariatur aut omnis eos optio unde. Consequatur numquam nostrum aut et architecto. Reprehenderit expedita officiis repellendus nemo necessitatibus cum autem.

Fuga dolores doloribus mollitia aperiam doloribus. Dolorem sed rem molestiae beatae eum ratione quam. Vel perspiciatis quaerat placeat odio dolores. Aut facere quo cum velit incidunt quod. Qui debitis est quas. Cupiditate assumenda aut sint quibusdam quia in autem.

Incidunt iste sapiente expedita consequatur excepturi. Voluptates ut a debitis aliquam quos ut dicta vel. Ut non aut consequatur itaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”