Breaking into physical Metals Trading out of non-target UG

Junior at a top 40 business school in northeastern US with unexceptional gpa (3.4) but strong extracurriculars and markets-related ops internship in addition to other work experience. My school is large, but hardly pushes S&T, let alone commodities. Nevertheless I'm super excited by the prospect of commodities trading. While I'm applying to every internship still available regardless of product due to how late to the game I am, I would love to break into metals. Generally non-ferrous seems more exciting, but I am not currently super decided.

Softs and energy generally seem to provide lots of commercial internships, but going into metals seems a little less clear. Is this because of the US's resource landscape or am I missing something? Is the advice to go into Ops if there are no TDPs to get into the same here?

I think that I portray genuine interest and excitement in my interviews, although am worried about the optics of being from an elitist city looking to move to most likely the midwest or south depending on the role. From what I understand I take that its most important to understand the supply chain and more generally being personable to transact and maintain relationships. Are there any ways you guys would recommend to best set myself up if I were unable to secure a commodities ops/trading internship this summer for a FT role? A side note is I am also definitely open to work outside of the US and have an EU passport. Thanks

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Illo rem facere placeat. Eum deserunt sunt culpa quibusdam possimus. At quam atque doloribus nam ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 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 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • 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

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...”