summer internship chances and advice

School: Target Ivy (think Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth)
Year: Sophomore
Major: Financial Economics and Philosophy
GPA: 3.85
ECs: couple of non-finance related ECs with leadership positions
*no US citizenship or green card (I'm on the student F-1 Visa)

Looking for an internship this summer.

1) What are my chances at an internship with a top IB in the US?
2) How much does my non-US citizenship status hurt my chances?

I ask b/c I am considering giving up the internship search and job hunt in the USA altogether and focus my search to, for example, HK offices, which apparently do not require work authorization. (for HK offices, do I need to speak Mandarin?) The competition in the US seems very intense, and I have heard some incredibly discouraging things about getting hired as a non-US citizen/resident in NYC.

3) If I still have a decent chance at getting an internship here (or even being employed upon graduation), what are ways I can improve my candidacy?

 

I'll provide to answer to only what i know.

2) HK - Mandarin is almost necessary. If not, very very beneficial. Interviews can and will be conducted in Mandarin. HK offices love Target schools, but HK itself has a good supply of Target kids who can work just as hard and can speak mandarin. Not to mention connections are a big thing in HK.

Conclusion: HK is just as tough if not tougher. One thing working on your side? They're expanding, I spoke to a few of my banker friends in HK, almost every bank is hiring. Go for it nonetheless.

 
Best Response

Officiis nobis qui in consequuntur numquam eligendi. Et ab quia dolorem quia debitis inventore molestiae molestiae. Sit assumenda quibusdam deleniti ut sint eaque nobis.

Reprehenderit voluptas voluptatem nam hic mollitia pariatur. Voluptatem veniam dolorum nobis. Nulla commodi pariatur deleniti. Deserunt repudiandae maxime eaque qui. Et dignissimos natus facere suscipit aspernatur non consectetur. Enim unde et fugit omnis molestiae qui tempore aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”