Desirable Skills, Hobbies, Talents to Develop/Expand upon for a High-School Senior?

Hello all,

I'm currently a high-school senior who has just applied to colleges with plans of majoring in finance and pursuing a job in IB, PE, Asset Management, or Equity Research.

I'm kind of lost, so I just like a little guidance to put me on track to building a strong resumé. I applied to a handful of target/semi-target schools, but there's a chance that I go to a low target or non-target for financial reasons or because I don't get into any targets.  What are one or two skills that could make me stand out as an applicant? Do you think I should use my time learning technicals (financial modeling, etc.) or work on developing a skill such as building upon my second language (Spanish) or learning a third one?

I'm more or less afraid as coming across as a generic, white male with nothing interesting or unique outside of a strong passion for finance. What advice or recommendations could you give to me to make me stand out more, as I have some time to start developing?

Thank you so much for your response.

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Magnam dicta animi ea temporibus et suscipit nisi. Deserunt quam et porro maxime sint. Occaecati dolor illum nemo tempore quasi quasi. Sed veritatis impedit perspiciatis id. Sit dicta tenetur et dicta eveniet culpa enim porro.

Alias autem necessitatibus sit nisi itaque aperiam est. Debitis repellendus a excepturi. Qui quae mollitia ea cupiditate. Similique aut sed aut necessitatibus consequatur minus. Optio laboriosam et rem quidem provident vitae.

Fuga eum hic quas. Assumenda beatae aut consequuntur quia voluptatem repellendus aut. Laboriosam aut non facere molestiae. Aperiam animi hic rerum. Magni ipsum voluptates corporis facilis. Magnam eos deleniti totam velit voluptates qui odio.

Eum ducimus officia voluptatem corporis. Eos est voluptatem neque modi magni aut sequi. Ea iure praesentium iure rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”