What relevant experience can a high school student get?

Hey everyone,

I'm a senior high school student from Continental Europe. I will probably go to study at one of the best universities in continental Europe (RSM/HSG, Oxbridge/LSE is too expensive for me). In the future, I would like to work at IB/PE in London. In the future I plan to do an MSc at LSE if it would be helpful in finding a job.

Next month I will be taking the "A-Levels equivalents" and I'm wondering what I could do in the next 4 months to increase my chances of getting Spring Weeks. What should I invest my free time in to maximize my chances of getting spring weeks? What job could I take to put it on my CV (I don't have any relevant experience)?

Thanks in advance!

7 Comments
 

For a high school student aiming to break into Investment Banking (IB) or Private Equity (PE) in London, focusing on activities that build relevant skills and demonstrate your interest in finance is crucial. Based on insights from Wall Street Oasis, here are several recommendations to enhance your profile:

  1. Internships or Work Experience: While it might be challenging to secure finance-related internships at this stage, any professional experience can be valuable. Look for internships in local businesses, banks, or financial advisory firms. Even roles in non-finance sectors can help you develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and analytical abilities.

  2. Extracurricular Activities: Leadership roles in school clubs, especially those related to business or economics, can be beneficial. Starting a finance or investment club at your school, if one doesn't already exist, could be a standout initiative.

  3. Online Courses and Certifications: Engage in online courses related to finance, economics, and financial modeling. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and the WSO Academy offer courses that can introduce you to the basics of investment banking and financial analysis.

  4. Competitions and Case Studies: Participate in business or finance-related competitions. Case study competitions, in particular, are highly regarded as they simulate real-world financial analysis and decision-making.

  5. Networking: Start building your professional network early. Connect with university alumni, professionals in your desired field, and participate in finance-related webinars or local events. LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for this purpose.

  6. Research and Personal Projects: Conducting research on topics of interest within finance or even managing a small investment portfolio (if possible) can demonstrate your passion and initiative. Writing about your findings or experiences in a blog or on LinkedIn can also help you stand out.

  7. Skills Development: Focus on developing relevant skills such as financial modeling, Excel, and PowerPoint. These are crucial for IB and PE roles. The WSO Financial Modeling Course is an excellent resource for this.

Remember, the goal is to build a profile that demonstrates your interest in finance, your initiative to learn and grow, and your ability to contribute meaningfully to an organization. Good luck!

Sources: ANSWERED: Most Common Resume Questions, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, My thoughts as a Non-Target, Finding more meaning out of my life, Q&A: I just conducted interviews in 4 Superdays

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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