What Did People Do The Summer Before Freshman Year?

Hello monkeys,

I recently just got a job working as a budget analyst in my city mayor's office. Essentially will be managing the city's budget and finances (involves a lot of Excel), although will probably involve a lot of grunt work. I am curious to know what other people were doing during the summer before their freshman year of undergrad.

 

I did two month long internships. One at an S&T brokerage firm and one at a reinsurance brokerage firm, both unpaid and part time. Got them through school connections. Very informal but set me up really well for the internship I have now (summer after freshman year).

 

summer between high school and college is amazing. you have plenty of time to be an adult, kid. not saying only do stupid shit and hang out with your friends, but I bet you'll remember a beach campfire and that time you finally scored with Megan from the cheer squad a lot more than an excel spreadsheet you made for your friends older brother who's in banking.

 

I am very familiar, one day I was pumping gas and was hit up with the join my cult speech. Then another day at the bar and so on.

'I have an opportunity for you! You can be your own boss! You can earn money and will get out of it what you put in. Also, you can have your friends join you! Even make money off of their sales and their recruits. This is not a pyramid scheme, this is multi-level marketing. You can tell because we had to tell you it isn't.'

Only two sources I trust, Glenn Beck and singing woodland creatures.
 

Currently in summer b4 feshman year. Doing some accounting related work. Honestly doesn't matter all that much what you do. Just have fun, get some good work experience, save up some money and chill before the real shit hits you in uni.

 

Says the analyst in IB...I'm sorry but unless you had connections coming out you're ass, you and everyone else here knows that you were studying your ass off and doing your SAT prep either in high school to get into a target or if you didn't, studied your ass off in college at a non-target, networking, prepping, and likely missing out on a lot of nice parties. Maybe you even did both in high school and college.

Bottomline is the last thing you were doing was "some drugs, raves, and vandalizing shit"

 

I traveled around Europe with a few friends, staying with parents friends along the way. Went to the United Kingdom Sailing Academy for a few weeks, probably the best experience in my entire life thus far. Did some diving, shooting, played some golf and spent some time in the Italian and French countryside.

Not to sound cliche, but this kind of helped shape who I am today.

Side note: I had 0 academic ambition going into college, I was on scholarship to play a sport and didn't even give academics a thought until I realized I sucked at my sport after first semester.

 

Currently in that summer. I am working (a lot of my friends work there too), completing an internship, taking classes, playing sports, and, for the remainder of the time, I am chilling with friends and family.

 

No, I worked at a mall the summers before and after freshman year of college and I'm going to MS/GS IBD.

Enjoy the summer -- hang out with the kiddos at camp, lay out by the lake, and enjoy one of the last summers where all your friends will be home to hang out together! Worry about internship when you're actually a college student!!

 

I'm a rising sophomore in college so I don't know everything but from talking to other, more knowledgeable people, I'd say the answer to that last question is not really. I'd take it easy and just relax if I were you. You'll be fine as long as you're active once you hit campus.

 

What do you mean by "good shot"? If we're talking great answers hitting it off superbly with interviewers at a final round, go for boutique. If we're talking asked to come back for a final round and you're not entirely sure you performed well during previous rounds then I wouldn't risk it. Big 4 advisory is good, especially as a freshman.

 

As you probably know, the recruiting process is very unorganized/informal for many boutique investment banks, so I would say it's worth taking the risk and saying no to the Big 4 offer. If you don't get the ECM offer, no big deal, just go back to networking and you'll no doubt swing another boutique for the summer. A URM with prior IB experience is probably a shoe-in for BB sophomore recruiting, so lucky you.

 

Would not follow this advice at all. OP must be a resourceful and talented guy for getting a Big 4 offer and potentially an ECM offer, but it is not safe to assume that he will "no doubt swing another boutique". OP will be well placed for soph bulge recruiting with Big 4 exp if that's what he wants.

 

Sounds like you are already in a fantastic position as a freshman. Congratulations on the offer. I would say take the Big 4 offer. Good name on your resume and will look great when recruiting for other roles in finance. You are only a freshman, your interests and goals could change. I would take the solid name on your resume over the shot of getting something in ECM.

 

Haha, did you really feel the need to add "prestigious"? You'll be fine, most freshmen have trouble finding legit finance experience unless they have ties to the industry. Just make sure to start networking early next year (from August/September). When did you do a BO internship if you're a freshman? Either way you'll be fine, just don't ever say "very prestigious country club", it makes you sound very socioeconomically insecure. Try and make some friendly contacts on the green if you can.

‎"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns or dollars."
 

Yes, the fact that your country club is very prestigious will help tremendously. Banks look for people who are the best at what they do, no matter what it is they do. They want those who go to the most prestigious schools, work for the most prestigious companies, subscribe to the most prestigious newspapers, remodel their floors with the most prestigious types of lumber and wipe themselves with the most prestigious brands of toilet paper.

 

No internship after your freshmen year?

You're doomed bro, DOOMED. Maybe you can network your way into a full time office clerk at the country club.

In all seriousness, no.When you don't land anything as an upcoming senior is when you hit panic mode

 

I had an IBD internship my freshman year and I really hated my life that summer. If I could go back in time I would have bussed tables or something and at least had free time like all my friends. I woulda loved to have spent time on the golf course but I was busy writing pitchbooks and making ppt presentations. You'll regret having wasted freshman summer if you spend it indoors with a tie on. Those summers are gone all too soon.

‎"Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns or dollars."
 

thanks for the comments, the only reason I put prestigious was because the course is very exclusive and the members there are like senators and CEOs of large companies. I meant no harm by it, just that networking might give me a shot. IS caddying something I can put on my resume?

 
thecool:
thanks for the comments, the only reason I put prestigious was because the course is very exclusive and the members there are like senators and CEOs of large companies. I meant no harm by it, just that networking might give me a shot. IS caddying something I can put on my resume?

Here's a tip: don't justify yourself on this forum. It's filled with idiots who think that breaking into Finance is the be all and end all of life. Anyone who doesn't have work experience at the age of 16 should stop thinking about the industry.

 

Alright. After thinking about it more I think I made the right decision. I did try to land an internship, but didn't have much luck, but I already have one at a large bank, so I didnt try too hard. Now this summer I can enjoy it, travel, knock out an accounting class, and caddy and make some money. not too mention networking. I just met one of the founders of the Carlyle group the other day, so maybe I can network my way into something...any advice or way to approach this?

And is caddying appropriate to put on my resume at this point?

 

If you have room on your resume (which I'm assuming you do, other than your previous internship), then sure, go ahead and add it. As far as the networking goes, just approach him while you're walking the course, etc. just don't piss him off by asking him for contacts while he's lining up his putt. Try to caddy his group as often as possible throughout the summer, and bring it up a few times throughout the summer, but focus more on doing your job as a caddy than anything else.

Hopefully he's not too much like Judge Smails...

 

Yea, build a rapport with everyone you caddy for. Be nice and genuinely interested in what they have to say. Read the WSJ like it's your job so if you're ever asked "what do you think" on a topic, you can give a decent answer.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Go with #2. 1 sounds sketchy. Ive heard of many boutique PE firms that hire interns to "source" deals, but none of them required you to pay for your own licensing, it just doesnt make sense. Although #2 isnt exactly sales/trading, Im sure you'll learn some basic excel, ppt, data analysis, how to manage some tasks and other shit instead of cold calling AND having to pay before making any money.

 

To add a little more color, #1 is also not a private equity opportunity. You don't need licensing to work in private equity (in the US at least). This is some sort of brokerage opportunity selling shares in private companies. Cold calling for that is not normal.

 

I don't like piling on advice that I think has been well given by everyone else in a thread, but please don't take the 1st opportunity. The place sounds like word for word the plot from Boiler Room (JT Marlin, anyone?). Agreed, as a rising sophomore, you won't be terribly useful anywhere, and that's fine. The point of this summer isn't to learn so much as to show that you are willing to do the work, and that you didn't waste your summer. On my rising sophomore year, I worked in my school's senior vice president office as a summer admin while taking classes.

And you seem to be asking about why not the first place and not satisfied with anyone's answer. but conyak is absolutely right. No firm lets any employee pay for their licenses. Let me repeat that in big bold letters: NO FIRM LETS ANY EMPLOYEE PAY FOR THEIR LICENSES. The cold calling aspect is fine, and at most places that is something interns do. But the fact that they want you to pay for your own license should be the first huge red flag.

--Death, lighter than a feather; duty, heavier than a mountain
 

Oh, and also, regardless of which opportunity you pick, follow the private investment firm and see how it ends up (either through their website or individuals' linkedin accounts). All of us could be wrong, and it might turn out to be a legit place. Or it could be sacked by the SEC. Either way, it's a great learning opportunity here.

--Death, lighter than a feather; duty, heavier than a mountain
 

Okay, let's pretend for a second that option #1 is legit (it is not).

Even if it was, you STILL wouldn't take option #1. First off, you are a freshman. No one gives a fuck whether or not you took some test (that you paid for, no less). It does not prove that you are 'committed' to anyone but the firm asking you to do it in the first place. After your internship, you will get no credit for that whatsoever. For that wonderful privilege, you will have paid $500.

You also receive no salary. You will, from Edward Jones. You seem to be deluded into thinking that cold calling folks will help you learn something. You won't (except maybe becoming a better cold caller... but there are better ways of achieving that that don't cost $500). Shitty Firm A also does not provide a recognizable brand name. Edward Jones will.

This is not a hard decision to make. You are a freshman. If you want to learn something, go find another way to do it. Get the Edward Jones name on your resume, cash the salary, and call it a day.

 

Listen bud, go with Edward Jones...there is no reason you should pay for a license. A recruiter would rather see Edward Jones on your resume than some bull shit chop shop that cold calls business owners in the midwest that they got from some Dunn and Bradstreet lead cards. Also you're a freshman with you need to pay your dues file some papers and answering phones, next year other offers will come, and if it is only part time take some other online finance class or something that will help you down the road. Aside from that, stop pushing back on everyone that is try to get you advice.

 

I just love that after what everyone has said, you are still arguing for job #1. If you want to take that job, then do it. It will be a mistake and you will not have a name brand on your resume. But stop trying to argue with the people that you asked to give you advice. If you aren't going to respect the advice, then why ask in the first place?

 
JeremyS:
I've done well in DECA Accounting (yeah I know this has nothing to do w/ finance but its the only business background I have) so if I make it to nationals this year I might talk to my dad's accountant and try to get a summer internship (paid or unpaid). Probably just chill though.
Sweet. I've gone to DECA nationals for the past two years and I'll probably qualify this year too.
 

Enjoy your summer... You're just getting out of high school, you shouldn't be worrying about anything at that point. Plus, you wont be able to find any internships unless its with your parents or something. If you want, see if you can network a little and ask bankers if they wouldn't mind letting you shadow them for a day. That way you learn a bit about the industry, build your network for the upcoming summers, and get to get drunk every day.

 

Hang out with your friends as it will likely be the last summer you will all still be together. No one is expecting you to do an impressive internship, though if you can get a gig in an office that pays decently and still allows you to party with your friends it won't be the end of the world. Life moves so fast man... I only hang out with maybe a few of the people who used to be my closest friends in high school, but I still look back on those memories of the last summer before everyone went off to conquer the world in their own way quite fondly. Make some mistakes, party, do some things you aren't going to have time to when you're in college or in the real world with bills and responsibilities. Most of all make some memories. You're still young and you're still finding out who you want to be... don't grow up to fast because you're going to want these times to look back on and laugh.

 
rufiolove:
Hang out with your friends as it will likely be the last summer you will all still be together. No one is expecting you to do an impressive internship, though if you can get a gig in an office that pays decently and still allows you to party with your friends it won't be the end of the world. Life moves so fast man... I only hang out with maybe a few of the people who used to be my closest friends in high school, but I still look back on those memories of the last summer before everyone went off to conquer the world in their own way quite fondly. Make some mistakes, party, do some things you aren't going to have time to when you're in college or in the real world with bills and responsibilities. Most of all make some memories. You're still young and you're still finding out who you want to be... don't grow up to fast because you're going to want these times to look back on and laugh.

Good post. Thanks for your insight.

 

Get an easy part time job that will give you some beer money for college. Have fun. Once you are actually in the industry you will regret almost 100% of the time you weren't having fun and relaxing in high school / college.

 

To answer you're question about doing IB first. From what I've heard, it's a lot easier to break into AM/HF through investment banking. Correct me if I'm wrong, as I haven't really looked into it yet.

How would I translate my experience onto my resume? Sure I could write about my experiences, but this guy doesn't own a company or anything. He's just really passionate about investing, and does it for his PA. I guess he's doing what Julian Robertson (of Tiger fame) is doing now.

Any advice?

 

Cavaet: I come from a non traditional background but I like #2 as long as his assets are large enough. You don't want to say you worked with a guy who's portfolio was €20MM but if he has a couple hundred and he has connections that are real go for it. I don't know what country you're talking about but for a freshman year thing you could have a good experience and if it's a smaller, weird country (and I mean that in the best of ways) you'll at least have interesting stories (such as when I worked with crazy rich guy in Boltivsloniia... or France). Biz dev for a start up intern is kind of obvious. I recently and personally invested in one and see what "marketing" means.

 

I'm from a developed Commonwealth nation, so unfortunately, I probably won't have any stories of working with a Colombian drug lord :P . I'm not sure how large his portfolio is, but it's a sizable amount.

The thing I'm worried about is how I can translate it onto my resume. I voiced my concern in the post above, and doing Biz dev just seems like a common freshman summer thing to do. Any advice?

 

Would it be possible to do both 1 and 2? Obviously 2 is a great chance to learn and keep a connection for when you are in your junior summer. 1 would at least give you something for the resume, and you can never have enough cold-calling experience. As for 3, definitely try to touch base to hold on to the contacts, just don't get annoying. Since you're only going into sophomore year, I would pick 2.

"Money doesn't talk, it swears." -Bob Dylan
 

Go on Tinder and hookup with girls in the area. That's what I would do. Trust me, working in the real world sucks! If I had a time machine going back to college/HS days, I would be on Tinder 24x7 trying to get pussy. Teen girls are WAY better looking (they're in the prime of their beauty) and they're super horny as well.

 

Go to the gym, get laid, do some hobbies you enjoy, read, lay by the pool, etc.

Soon enough you won't have summers to have fun all day. Take absolute full advantage of them.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Similar thread where a member is asking "what can I do in 3 months"

https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/what-can-i-do-in-3-months-that-w…

  • Prepare as much as possible for whats coming up professionally (prep courses, GMAT, ..)
  • As others have said, have fun (going out, working out, hobbies, ..)
  • Consider traveling to places where you need more time than you might have later
  • Pick up something useful and new; ie start learning a new language or skill
  • You can never have enough time building meaningful relationships; attend networking sessions, open days, conferences or anything that relates to your career goals
 

It is going to be almost impossible to get anything remotely related to investment banking as a pre-undergraduate to my understanding. The most "prestigious" internships I know of are middle/back office functions with FoFs and BBs.

Just a note of personal advice; when I look at applications for SAs, I rarely care about finance exposure before undergraduate level. You can get your fill of such experience in university. If I were you, I'd go look for a tech startup or some long term contract that can give me hands-on experience in an emerging industry/region.

 

Enroll at a really easy and fun US uni/college (like one of those ASU places) for a semester and use your accent to your advantage (what one of my friends is legit doing).

"Banking institutions are more dangerous... than standing armies." - TJ
 

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