Advice for S&T SA?
Hey! I’m a current junior and incoming S&T SA at a BB. I have one more semester before I start in June and I want to come into the program as prepared as possible. Are there any skills I should try to pick up over the next few months to give myself an edge? Any advice on how to prepare? Is there anything you wish you knew before starting your summer position? Thank you!
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Social skills. Not kidding. The most important set of skills to do well as an S&T SA.
Don't be a hardo and we're good!
Definitely great advice thank you
learn to code
Are there any languages in particular that you think I should try to focus on?
Excel VBA
Python
SQL
that's really all you'll ever need...and you can learn it all for free on youtube.
As an intern the amount of value you add by your work is going to be zero or close to it. The best thing you can do is demonstrate that you're competent (don't be a hardo, but don't try to be just a bro who knows every baseball trade, but can't figure out what delta means) and TALK TO EVERYONE. Nowadays, it's so easy for me to forget we have interns, just given how busy the market can be, along with the fact that I'm not directly working on any projects or anything with you.
IME, most people are happy to talk to interns when they can, but they aren't going to take the initiative, because they are focused on other stuff going on (not because they hate you or anything). Take time to talk to people when it makes sense (either not during market hours, or swing by at a slow time).
Also, if you have some sort of summer-long project, please just try to do it like your GPA depended on it. So many interns can't even commit to staying after market hours, which is insane compared to how easy it is compared to the banking internships.
Thank you for that great advice! Are you usually assigned projects at the beginning of the summer or a few weeks before the end?
Will totally depend if its a 3-week rotational internship or a longer 9-weeks-on-one-desk type. Typically, most interns are given some sort of project/report or trade pitch they need to give to the senior traders and salespeople, with some questions and feedback trying to make sure you understand what you're pitching and demonstrate what you've learned. But every shop can vary on this.
Being a summer analyst is 50% networking. Showing that you are someone that is easy to work with who is passionate about the work will go a long long way.
S&T has so many personalities that it is impossible to please everyone/be liked by everyone. So focus on your strengths and don't try to be someone you are not.
If you are a good communicator and like speaking to people, use this to your advantage and build an extensive network. Ask good questions, be confident when you approach someone, and always LISTEN.
If you are very technical and programming focused, you could focus on desk projects that could actually add some value to the team. And if not add value, at least show you can be useful to them.
It is like a chess game at times. Find a strategy that fits your personality and go full blast those 10 weeks. Best of luck
Awesome advice thank you so much
Good piece of advice for you - BE USEFUL AND CARE. Nothing is worse than having a dipshit that is a zero value add on your desk. Ask about shit your trader/salesmen has backlogged and hop into that. Ask to listen in on trades over the phone, ask for chat exposure, be an active participant in market discussions and have an opinion. Also make sure to show genuine interest, others can tell when you have zero interest in a product so always act like you give a fuck because your return offer is dependent on everyone’s opinion of you
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