<p>What's the secret to getting an internship during your junior year (summer) at a top Ibank? Like the other 3543546879416465 college students out there, I'm shooting for Goldman Sachs. So what are they looking for? Leadership qualities? Great grades? Solid background in business/econ? Diversity? I attend UC-Berkeley, which isn't the most prestigious of schools, but it's no Sacramento State either. </p>
<p>P.S. Will attending the Haas School of Business (undergrad program) help in getting a position at Goldman? I'm sure they have tons of HYPS, Sloan, Whartonites applying- so in the grand scheme of things, I don't think that the Haas name will raise too many eyebrows. </p>
<p>...any ideas?</p>
<p>P.S. Would being a Poli Sci major hurt my chances? I plan on taking some economics/math/finance related courses, so I don't think it should be <em>that</em> big a problem. Right?</p>
<p>Also, would it matter that I would be interested in the Los Angeles/San Francisco office instead of the New York one? I think that this would help my chances, no?</p>
<p>I checked the minority thing, its only for African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans....I'm Armenian, so we fall into the boring ol' "caucasian" bubble :</p>
<p>SEO is unneeded if you're at a target school, which he is.</p>
<p>also everyone considering SEO should keep in mind that sometimes SEO can really hinder you. A lot of co-workers may dislike you for the fact that you came in under SEO so you might to work much harder than your peers to prove you're not just some minority who was given the job b/c of diversity numbers.</p>
<p>While I understand that Haas will give me a shot at some top ibanks, what about just regular Berkeley? I'm not so sure I want to major in business, even though I would like to make it my occupation</p>
<p>"A lot of co-workers may dislike you for the fact that you came in under SEO so you might to work much harder than your peers to prove you're not just some minority who was given the job b/c of diversity numbers."</p>
<p>How would they know you're SEO unless you told them?</p>
<p>To the OP, seems like you are just about to start college (apology if i'm wrong). If you have to ask how to get an ibanking internship, i cant almost guarantee you that you wont get one the summer after your first year. Apply/Do on-campus interviews for the next two summers, and pray you get an interview and ace the interview.</p>
<p>They know because SEO tells the recruiters who wants to join their Ibank. The recruiters are your co-workers. SEO puts you at a huge disadvantage in terms of the company's culture the first day you step in, I would highly not recommend it. The best option you have is to the network with UCB students and land yourself a stint in the SF area through connections. Respect is something you'll crave in this industry, since everyone tends to know everyone.</p>
<p>They know you're from SEO because of what Banker88 says but also the fact that as a member of SEO you have to attend SEO events during your internships, sometimes these can be really problematic and lead to even more sleepless nights because you're having to leave work to attend networking events and then come back to finish your work.</p>
<p>your co-workers also might ask why you're leaving them to meet with other banks, etc.</p>
<p>I don't see how networking can benefit you in a process where you are interviewed by a group of strangers...let's say I meet a few Berkeley students who interned at Goldman over the summer, the only thing that they can give me advice on is how to do well on the interview, no?</p>
<p>well, when I suggested try to network, I meant for you to find Berkeley kids who are working in banking right now, sometimes if you make a good relationship with them they can allow you to come shadow for a day or even pass your resume on, so it's a good strategy. the trick is just knowing how to network properly, you can't ask for things directly really. it's bad to ask 'hey can you pass on my resume' or 'hey can i shadow you' you have to kind of ask some random questions that lead somewhere - 'hey could you tell me if you know the differences between working in Cali and NY, oh do you know anyone who's done both?' and you just have to keep going in that direction but you can't ask way too many questions -- kids in banking are going to be really busy.</p>
<p>And slicm, I'd suggest trying to get into Haas but i've seen some people who were not in Haas and still were recruited by some tough firms (lazard for instance).</p>
<p>so, Untitled, you are sayin that it is almost impossible for someone that has no connections in banking to get an internship the summer after freshman year? im going to be going to Berkeley as well. do you think ill have to wait until the summer after my junior year? Thanks alot</p>
<p>I don't know much but I think you should give it a try. What's the worst they can say? No?</p>
<p>Most of us here that want to do banking will become investment bankers. Just not with Goldman Sachs. So having said that, I suggest you look at other top banks too like Morgan Stanley, UBS, or Lehman.</p>