Comments on: Investment Banking Recruiting as a First or Second-Year University Student: How to Survive the Insanity

By: M&I - Brian

M&I - Brian — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 17:58:03 +0000

In reply to Ali.

Well, what is your goal? Are you asking if sales and data analyst roles are good pathways into IB summer internships? Or are you asking if it’s possible to do this at all?

In general, you want finance-related internships in Year 1-2 to maximize your chances of the Year 3 summer internship. See: https://mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking-recruiting-timeline/

It moves more slowly in the UK since applications usually open early in Year 3 rather than the end of Year 2, but you still need a bit of work experience to have a good shot at the large banks.

By: Ali

Ali — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 17:46:40 +0000

Hi Brian,
I am a 2nd year studying Economics and Politics at the University of Manchester. I am applying for sales and data analyst roles for my placement year and will be trying to get some summer internships for the summer before my final year (just after i finish my placement) to get as much experience as possible. Do you think this is a good idea and if you have any better ideas may you suggest them, thank you.

By: M&I - Brian

M&I - Brian — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 15:22:55 +0000

In reply to Abhishek.

So, the recruiting landscape in India is completely different and does not resemble anything in the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, etc. I would start by reading our coverage of India:

https://mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking-india/

By: Abhishek

Abhishek — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 14:47:59 +0000

Hi Brian,
I am 18 years old, from India, and in 1st year of B.Tech.(will be going to 2nd year in a month or two). I am also doing online courses on finance to move to investment banking. Can you guide me out a bit with what should i focus on next to get a IB internship right after my 2nd year?
Thank you.

By: M&I - Brian

M&I - Brian — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 22:46:17 +0000

In reply to Nicolas. I think you are worrying over nothing. No one cares about pre-university internships, just focus on getting the best internships possible during university.

By: Nicolas

Nicolas — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 21:43:59 +0000

Hi Brian,
I’m currently 17 years old (German/French) and I’ll study Economics at Warwick University starting september. I really would like to try out Investment Banking.
But due to the pandemic, the finance internship I should have done had been cancelled because of Covid measures a few days before I’d actually start. I’m now a bit at loss as to what to do.
How can I make up for this “lack” in my resume for my 1st year summer internship? I will probably try my luck with a few cold calls, but until now all I’ve managed to get is a 2 week IT internship at Deutsche Bank.
I don’t know if I’m overthinking this and if a post-High School internship really does matter a lot or not but I’m afraid I’ll fall behind other people that were able to do internships in their country.
What do you think about it? Do you have any idea what I could do?
Thanks in advance!

By: Giulio

Giulio — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 12:25:32 +0000

In reply to M&I - Brian. Thank you for the inputs. Just so I'm clear, I would be starting in my 3rd year after high school, so in what would be my junior year should I not transfer.

By: M&I - Brian

M&I - Brian — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:45:53 +0000

In reply to Giulio. It's not about your exact graduation date but rather the number of years of work experience you've had and your internships. If you can complete solid internships and get good academic results, sure, you can get into IB. A Master's might help a bit, but more so if you cannot get in after normal undergrad or do not have enough internship experience to do so the first time.

By: Giulio

Giulio — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:28:58 +0000

Hi Brian,
thank you for the very enlightening article.
I’m considering leaving mechanical engineering in my ongoing sophomore year, to pursue a Bachelor’s in Finance in Milan (Bocconi University).
This way I would be starting from scratch at age 20.5 and graduating around age 23.5 in a best case scenario, while a Master’s degree would have me graduate 2 years later.
Do you think it would be a little overkill or even insane? Assuming a 3.5+ GPA, what would be my chances of breaking into IB and such from the front door, despite graduating 1 or 2 years* late compared to other Bocconi graduates?

*If you’re wondering why I’m saying “1 or 2 years” and not 2, it’s because in Italy, people born in early 2001 had a choice of starting school in September 2006 rather than in Semptember 2007.

By: M&I - Brian

M&I - Brian — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 00:37:45 +0000

In reply to Ryan.

Banks keep changing the timing each year. I’m not going to update this article or write a new version each time a bank slightly moves forward or moves back its timing (imagine writing about this same topic for 13 years…).

The broader point is that you need to be prepared with networking and interview questions in your *2nd year of university.* That is true regardless of whether banks start in July, roughly a year before internships, or April, slightly over a year before internships. You can’t just go into Year 3 and prepare at the last minute. And that has been true ever since banks started moving up the timing around 2016.