Economics student - Summer School / Activities to boost your profile

Prospect in Other

Anonymous

If you're going to attend summer school, I'd advise doing so purely on the grounds of personal learning (and at that, I don't particularly regard most summer schools very highly unless they're, say, specific research programs for accelerated undergrads) as it won't help boost your "profile" for IB or whatever. However, if you've decided on this and want something to write under "Additional Coursework", any kind of rigorous mathematical work or technical work related to markets can't hurt. Also don't absolutely bet on summer schools being open this summer, i.e. you'll need a backup plan.

I think there's still time to look for an internship--try and aim for that despite the general turmoil going on... it'll be good training.

TenFokus

Baboon

I already have a Part Time job as an analyst (fixed income) this summer. So I was wondering if there was anything other activities I could do to boost my profile this summer.

What do you suggest if you want to boost your profile for IB/HF? Or in regards for a MFE at Oxford/ LBS MFA?

Cva Credit Valuation Adjustment Basel Iii

panFriedSebas

Baboon

Well since you mentioned you're gg FI, you might want to look into doing some data projects. The (imo) over-hype on data science aside, I think current issues for FI is the esoteric and non homogenous data. Would be great if you can start on some technical projects to analyse (whatever metrics you're interested in) rigorously with whatever data you can find. I think hedge funds are looking more into a data equipped worker, and would appreciate you more if you can come in with some additional tool kits like data pipelining and you're able to describe how you implemented models, on top of just the day to day required skill sets of an FI analyst. I did econs too, but I'm not sure if you've done econometrics, but that'd be a great start!

1 reply

TenFokus

Baboon

Interesting comment. I haven't done econometrics quite yet, I will have it next semester.

A Data Project would be interesting. Do you mean doing a data project at my job or on my own? I do have experience with Python, SQL, R... but I dont think I have enough experience to do a challenging project on my own. The tough challenge would be to find someone (corporate/uni) that is willing to do this and include me.

rotundanalyst

Baboon

Most Helpful

Boosting your profile is difficult to do quickly, and I don't think that going to LSE will be as much of an aid as you think it will be. I know plenty of people who went to LSE - and they never took it seriously. It was more of a laissez-faire summer vacation in London than a true academic experience. If I saw that on a resume, it would be weighted much less than the impact that the candidate made at their university / respective financial clubs at that university. So, I wouldn't waste your time and money on that. In my opinion, your time would be best served networking and studying on your own for the time being.

There are a fair number of open courses available on the internet as a matter of regular practice - reddit would be a good source to find those. Some colleges have even released course textbooks (Cambridge comes to mind) that you can use to teach yourself for the time being. In the vein of data science/computer science, I'd recommend taking the Harvard CS50 undergraduate introduction to Computer Science course. It teaches high quality theory and will be a good springboard for you to use to dive into other CS endeavors. You could also look into honing your valuation techniques. Many, many options available.

If you choose to network / hone your financial skills, you're going to be better off when interview time comes for a junior-summer (3rd year summer) opportunity as your answers will be more thoughtful and you'll be in a better position to have more success compared to your peers who may not have studied as much. All of this depends on how disciplined you can be, however - no one is going to tell you to study, you have to do that yourself.

tl;dr Don't go to summer school, focus on your job and study on the side/network so when the big opportunities come you set yourself up for victory.

TenFokus

Baboon

Thanks alot for a reflective and a helpful comment. Since I already have a part time job in the summer, it would definitley be beneficial to focus on that and take an online course on the side. The Introduction to Computer Science does look interesting.

Networking and preparing for next summer internships does also make alot of sense. Doesn't matter if you can get a ton of interviews but can't land them.

Thanks.

tinus

Gorilla

HEC Paris has an interesting summer course on Investment Banking and International Finance. And if your are interested in mathematics, I would suggest have a look at Real Analysis, only if you have some comfortability with Cal I & II. It challenging and sometimes very frustrating but rewarding in the sense of building a deeper nu understanding of Calculus.

Tyrell-Wellick

King Kong

Enroll to HBS Online's CORe Program (+ Mihir Desai's Leading With Finance on top of it, if you happen to have the time). Couldn't recommend it enough. Great experience! Pretty good to have on your resume too (according to data collected by P&Q's John Byrne).

TenFokus

Baboon

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