CIA Freshman Year Internship for Finance
I am a finance student at a semi-target (UVA, UMich, UNC) on a merit based full-tuition scholarship and am looking for a post freshman year internship in finance. I am a diversity student so my goal would be to land a BB i-banking or MBB internship after my sophomore year, and so I am trying to find a freshman year internship to set me up for that goal. I am weighing between taking an internship at a small hedge fund/investment bank with little recognition in the field vs taking an internship at the CIA as an economic analyst focusing in the Asian region, where the brand is more prestigious (or atleast well respected) but it has less to do with finance specifically. I am not sure what to do as my father who has worked in finance his entire life has told me to take the CIA internship for the brand name whereas on this forum there seems to be split advice on the topic.
Would take the CIA - assuming you're allowed to put it on your resume (I think you're not for their DO stuff)
I would be allowed to put it on my resume. I would be an analyst which is an overt position (I can talk about it), whereas the CIA used to also offer a similar internship but on the operations side that is a 2-year program that is not allowed to be put on a resume or discussed.
CIA for sure. Stands out way more on a resume
If I see CIA on a resume, I'm automatically sliding your resume into the interview pile to grill you on national secrets and Area 51.
CIA I think would be cool especially since it’s finance related. I worked on the F-22 and I’m hoping for the same sorta recognization but you will get wayyyy more for the CIA.
PM'ed you. Former CIA and now at a BB - I can provide more insights into the two.
Probably the best flex on this whole site
CIA every day of the week. Most considered applicants have regular internships that are in the industry and are bland.
If someone sees that you interned for the CIA - immediately considered and more than likely approved
Will also provide more actual knowledge and experience than your standard run-of-the-mill internships.
working for the agency is much more interesting than anything IB. Go for that.
We know you didn't really learn anything of value applicable to a banking job in a freshman internship. At least a job at the CIA is a cool/badass talking point.
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