Best summer option remaining w/out internship

I'm a junior and was set on getting an Engineering job until after SA interviews so don't have an internship for the summer.

Current plans: research in EE department, online poker

This combines useful experience w/ significant money but obviously lacks the IB internship environment and financial experience.

My school's career office has basically nothing left except for an AIG alternative investments internship. Is there anything that can be done at this point? Calling (smaller only?) firms and offering to work for free?

 
Best Response
gshell:
I'm a junior and was set on getting an Engineering job until after SA interviews so don't have an internship for the summer.

Current plans: research in EE department, online poker

This combines useful experience w/ significant money but obviously lacks the IB internship environment and financial experience.

My school's career office has basically nothing left except for an AIG alternative investments internship. Is there anything that can be done at this point? Calling (smaller only?) firms and offering to work for free?

One of the questions is where you live, and where you're willing to work.

If you're willing to work in Chicago, there are a lot of small trading shops and clearing firms at the Chicago Board of Trade. There's really a shortage of cheap labor in downtown Chicago despite the lower cost of living than New York, and you may be able to get a job as a trading assistant or clerk.

From there, you may get hired as a full-time trading assistant or even a trader, depending on the firm. I'm suggesting this route because you play online poker, and I'm guessing you probably wouldn't be playing if you weren't making money at it. A lot of people I know who were good poker players in college are now good traders (not everyone, but there seems to be a significant correlation.)

Do well at the trading firm, and you could be making seven figures your second year there. Chicago firms pay top dollar for good traders who are willing to give up the prestige of working at an Investment Bank for taking home closer to 40-60% of their net trading revenues.

 

[email protected], I know a pair of groups who might be looking for an intern at Citi.

You should really push for something in finance, whatever it is, as long as you're getting exposure to the industry.

Remember it's what you make of the experience, not where you end up.

I'm also stressing alumni because you'll be touching base with them while you're working over the summer, because when the season is over, and recruiting starts, you'll be in a good position to look for a full-time spot.

 

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