FRESHMEN what the hell I am supposed to do

I am a freshmen at columbia.....What extracurricular activities are good to build resume? What are things I can do to impress recruiters for internships? Primarily in the sales and trade.

5 Comments
 

Read the WSJ and follow the markets. Demonstrating a knowledge of current financial events will go far to impress recruiters at this early stage.

"I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
 

It's a sad day when people have to ask, "What should I do for fun to impress my future employer?" Don't be a tool - get involved in one finance-based club (investment club or something works fine) and then for the rest, pick whatever you want. Whether that's intramurals or a frat or a musical theatre group. It doesn't matter; extracurriculars are for 1) displaying leadership, and 2) proving that you're not a mindless robot that follows the finance hivemind. Just get some leadership experience - it can be fundraising for a charity or being the Pledge Educator at your frat, doesn't matter.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

Maiores omnis ratione hic ex. Sapiente et ad illo.

Quia ab aut animi ad enim. Beatae et vel quaerat vero beatae aliquid hic aperiam. Et similique blanditiis necessitatibus commodi ipsa. Sed est libero cupiditate sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (68) $101
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”