Need experience for job; Need job for experience

Some internship postings are for "rising sophomores & rising juniors", yet they require "prior work experience". To me, that's just pure bizarre. It's almost like they expect you to have an IBD internship right out of high school.

Don't these firms know that 18/19 (or even 20) year olds don't usually have real world work experience? especially not in a professional field like finance?

 

Unfortunately the field is full of kids who are over achievers who started interning while in high school. I know plenty of people who did that @ state street. Normal people just don't know to do it. That is what PWM internships are for though.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Schopenhauer
 
Best Response
seabird:
Unfortunately the field is full of kids who are over achievers who started interning while in high school. I know plenty of people who did that @ state street. Normal people just don't know to do it. That is what PWM internships are for though.

What he said. I would also add that I and my friends have obtained many internships/FT jobs for which we didn't have all the necessary qualifications listed on the job description. If a position says you need prior experience and you don't have any, but you know someone or you impress someone, you have a chance at getting the internship anyway. Pushing another activity/job/leadership position as somehow relevant might help your case, too.

 

I feel your pain. A lot of entry-level jobs at smaller firms require "2-3 years post-graduate experience in the same area/position"... if I had 2-3 years of post-grad experience I wouldn't be looking at an entry-level job, would I?

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 
Rambo:
Some internship postings are for "rising sophomores & rising juniors", yet they require "prior work experience". To me, that's just pure bizarre. It's almost like they expect you to have an IBD internship right out of high school.

Don't these firms know that 18/19 (or even 20) year olds don't usually have real world work experience? especially not in a professional field like finance?

GO BACK TO REDDIT!

“Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do”
 
gammaovertheta:
febreeze:
NR...

shoulda used the game of thrones "one does not simply get an internship"

I don't know if this is a subtle joke, or just terrible

oh i just remembered a meme he posted in chat. that one made me laugh.

 

Pretty sure thats LOTR, febreeze.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Schopenhauer
 

story of my life OP. If i see one more "entry-level" job posting requiring 3-4 years experience imma go crazy. Say what you will about how you should have gotten experience else where, etc. What it comes down to is that entry-level by its very definition, means that shouldn't be the case.

btw, just noticed u were bitching about internships that do this. wait until you graduate and realize every FT listing pulls the same dumb ass stunt- then you can complain

GBS
 

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