nervous about S&T internship beginning in a few weeks - how to calm my t*ts?
hey guys. starting my s&t internship at a BB in a couple weeks' time and getting some real jitters. I have this constant irrational fear that I'll be behind other interns/ be viewed as substandard when on the job. I've still been following the markets and doing some textbook reading, yet I still constantly feel underprepared. the virtual format and shortened duration certain doesn't help, and I have this feeling that offer rates will be dismally low.
how do I overcome this? appreciate any thoughts
In the same boat here, I don't even know which desks I'll be sitting on yet. I'm a lot less technical too since I'm like a non-quant since I don't really know how to code and I'm wondering right now if I should pick up some VBA or Python and stuff before it starts
yup that's basically me. no desk placement, also a non-technical guy, senior guy who pushed to hire me has left the bank as well which idk if thats a good thing or not...
Is it a norm that BBs are not assigning desks this year? HR told me that they will ask out a form about desk preference within last week, but I haven't received it yet
I would not worry too much (as someone who had a liberal arts degree in S&T on an exotic macro desk). Programming at most is what you need to know unless you are on a super quant desk is VBA and a little Python (great way to add value to automate tasks - still suprises me on many manual tasks I need to do). Second, really try to understand the product you are in and keep on asking questions (worest thing you can do is sit there quietly).
For me I have had countless number of interns over the years on the desk and been responsible to teach them. I found it helpful when the intern arranged time with me to speak end of day on a Friday to catchup and came prepared with all their questions. Also even if it seems like a trivial question and you think you know that answer (try to solve the solution but ask me for help). Try to build relationships with the team. I am always in the mindest to prefer an intern who is hardworking and willing to take the initative than someone who is super smart and is not willing to apply themselves.
Decisions at my BB for my desk is done by me and the desk head (though everyone on the desk contributes as well). PM if you already know your desk rotations and maybe can help you all more.
Ah, interns.
First, stop panicking, grab a beer and take a deep breath.
Better?
I was you. In a much earlier generation. I got stuck for my internship on the mortgage / fixed income side. Hated every minute until during a softball game after work, I ran into the head of Commodities, had zero clue who he was BTW, and just started chatting away about energy and metals markets. Ally smelters electricity costs versus total marginal cost..blah blah.etc.
Got traded, literally traded, after the game for a quant jockey who wasnt fitting in on their desk. Showed up the next morning and sat with the energy group. 25 years later, i am still thankful/in awe of how one chance encounter at a corporate function, changed my life.
Takeaway: Baz Luhrman wrote that "Your life is half chance...and so is everyone elses" Your desk doesnt matter. What does is what you do with the opportunity.
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