<p>Ok, here's the situation. I'm going to be a rising sophmore this fall, and I was looking at doing a summer internship this summer. I want to break into the i-banking filed, but for a 2nd year, I understand that it's hard to get an internship at one of the i-banks. </p>
<p>So I thought about doing an internship at a consulting firm, I'm sure that will help me get into an i-bank later anyway (any experience is good experience), but at the same time, I wonder if I should apply for i-banks. I don't want them to reject me this year, and next year when I REALLY NEED the i-bank internship, I won't be able to get one because I was rejected the year before!</p>
<p>Wait till the summer between Jr. and Sr. year to do the i-banking internship, that's when it matters the most (for you to get hired for a full time position)</p>
<p>As for your internship this coming year, do whatever you feel is good -- consulting, hedge fund, fortune500, whatever shows you can do some analytical thinking and are bright. A good name (well known company) always helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input dcfca, you always have helpful insights!</p>
<p>So I want to get an internship in mainland china/HK this summer, because that way I can visit some family AND work at the same time. Would I have a slight advantage than those domestic people? I mean, my English would be better than them (Chinese is a slighter weaker point for me), don't know how much that will help me though...</p>
<p>I don't know, you might need contacts in China to work over there. I spoke to someone who knows the MD at a BB in China and he was given an opportunity to work directly under them. I don't think it would have been possible without that.</p>
<p>Working in China for a bank is actually tough if your language and reading skills aren't good becuase it'll hinder your ability to work on deals since most are in Chinese.</p>