What skills should I sharpen before my summer internship?

I've read multiple times on this forum that people don't expect interns to come in knowing anything. I want to hit the ground running and add value to any desk that I get placed on. Right now, I read the news every day, watch some outlets, and listen to finance podcasts. I'm also trying to get better at Excel, coding, and learning how to navigate Bloomberg. Tried teaching myself options just in case I get put on a derivatives desk... Is there anything else I should get better at or learn?

Also from your experience, were there any skills or things you wish you would've known before your internship in S&T? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

5 Comments
 

Honestly, you don't need to know much because they'll teach you. They'll go through derivatives and Interest Rate Swaps during the week of training so it might be redundant if you read about it now. For more technical desks, you just need to be prepared to read the primers they give you asap to be able to understand which articles might be worth including in your morning note. 

I only wish I knew VBA before starting.

 

You probably won’t add value and they don’t expect to you either. Obviously have the basics, know how excel works and how to be efficient in it. Know the basics that comes with the job. The main thing, in my opinion, is to build a strong EQ. If you don’t know how to handle yourself in a social setting then you can get screwed with the return offer.

 

I would say that my EQ is pretty good considering I got along with everyone at the firm I interned for during my freshman and sophomore year, but are there any ways on improving it? (ie: talking to strangers, more networking calls etc)

 

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