RE; First year university student seeking advice (UK)

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some additional academic and extracurricular activities you can engage in to benefit your future career in hedge funds:

Academic Pursuits:

1. Investment Banking, Equity Research, or Sales and Trading:

   • These areas are crucial as they prepare you for various types of hedge funds. For example:
     • Investment Banking: Prepares you for event-driven and long/short funds.
     • Equity Research: Also beneficial for event-driven and long/short funds.
     • Sales and Trading: Useful for roles in credit funds or systematic hedge funds.

2. Programming and Quantitative Skills:

   • If you're interested in systematic hedge funds or CTA funds, gaining programming skills is essential. Consider courses in Python, R, or MATLAB.

Extracurricular Activities:

1. Investment Club:

   • Join or actively participate in your university's investment club. This can provide access to exclusive career resources, job opportunities, and networking events with industry professionals.

2. Writing Investment Ideas:

   • Dedicate time to writing compelling investment ideas, both long and short. This can differentiate you from other candidates and demonstrate your ability to generate profitable ideas.

3. Networking:

   • Attend speaker series, pitch practices, and other networking events organized by your university or external organizations. Building a network within the industry is crucial.

4. Student-Run Investment Fund:

   • If your university has a student-run investment fund, get involved. This hands-on experience can be invaluable and is highly regarded by potential employers.

Additional Resources:

1. Books and Presentations:

   • Read and reread key investment books. Also, review old presentations from the Value Investing Congress and insights from Top Ideas on Seeking Alpha and Manual of Ideas.

2. Excel and Financial Modeling:

   • Enhance your skills in Excel and financial modeling. Utilize resources like Excel shortcuts, self-study guides, and financial modeling best practices.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your chances of securing an internship and gaining relevant experience in the hedge fund sector. Keep grinding and best of luck with your pursuits!

Sources: Hedge Fund Careers: Getting a Hedge Fund Job Out of Undergrad and Beyond, Hedge Fund Careers: Getting a Hedge Fund Job Out of Undergrad and Beyond, Q&A: About to graduate from HBS - Ask Me Anything, What career path will be the best to take if I want to land a hedge fund job?, Getting a Hedge Fund job as a Political Science Professor?