How to Get an Internship with a Top IBank

<p>you know what im not quite sure. i know that all the top ibanks recruit at my school so maybe i can get to speak with one of their representatives. there is also a career center at my school that may be able to help out.</p>

<p>There is no "magic formula" to obtain an interview at Goldman. Every year, kids from the top 5 schools in the country with 3.8 GPA's will be dinged and not even get an interview. Goldman is very random with who they choose, and while its generally necessary to have a high gpa (ie >3.6) leadership skills and work experience, there’s really no rhyme or reason to who they pick. There are some things you can do to bolster your chances however. First, your school is fine, don’t worry. For EC's have leadership skills which you can show by becoming head of a club. Also, Goldman LOVES athletes (as does every major i-bank, so play a sport if your remotely coordinated). On top of doing this, network with anyone you know at goldman. I-banking is a game of social skills, and the best way to get into the business is, quite obviously, by being social with your alums. Next, have some related work in the “financial services sector”. Anything really will do, everyone can BS a resume. All in all, even if you do all of this, theres still a real good chance you will never even get an interview. But dont worry, kids who worked at Wachovia and Piper Jaffrey get into HBS or Wharton - so really, Goldman isnt the end all to be all. It's all about the story you can tell. Hope this helped.</p>

<p>"Goldman LOVES athletes"</p>

<p>Does Riflery count as a sport?</p>

<p>sure, why not. Anything thats a group activity that shows teamwork is good. But i mean, im not gonna lie, lacrosse or basketball or something would better. As you actually sweat during those sports.</p>

<p>I know the JP Morgan sponsors tennis matches... but why do investment banks like sport? I don't see the logic in that. Please explain.</p>

<p>sports, especially at the college level show dedication, competitiveness, ability to work on a team, leadership (if you lead the team), ability to manage time really well (school and the sport -- since you have practices and games while having to study for exams), and usually athletes are good looking which i-banks like.</p>

<p>Students usually get summer internships at the end of their junior year , through the school career office. Applications are available usually after Thanksgiving, I think.</p>

<p>I read a Princeton's article talking about why their athletes do worse academically but do better economically. Many of them end up in Wall Street and here's why:</p>

<p>1) The ability to think on your feet
2) mental sharpness
3) leadership (even if you are not a captain)
4) Teamwork (This is a big one)
5) Time management
6) Physically Fit
7) competitiveness</p>

<p>First, whyoever said that most will have a shot eventually is dead wrong.</p>

<p>Things that will help you: connections, high gpa, varsity sport star, multiple languages, looking the part (6'4" WASP).</p>

<p>As for schools, Cal is certainly acceptable, especially Haas, but it's not one of the key recruited schools. Find a Cal alum, if you can, at the firm you want and work him.</p>

<p>Wanting to be on the W coast will not help you. Most training is done in NYC. If you want SF, which is really silicon valley you should have an engineering background. If you want LA you should be a movie moguls child.</p>

<p>Even at Harvard, it was the very connected who had the best shot. After that brilliant math minds recommended by profs who consult for the banks. Next were the high profile jocks who the clients want to meet. Being a scrtach golfer works too.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I know the JP Morgan sponsors tennis matches... but why do investment banks like sport? I don't see the logic in that. Please explain.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Simple. High Net Worth individuals (HNW). i.e. multi-millionaires.</p>

<p>Ever take a quick look at the demographic that regularly attends the US Open Tennis Championships? There's a very high concentration of rich people at that one single annual event - location is also great: right smack outside of Manhattan - timing is also great: mid-summer (when folks have extra time to chill out and take in a sporting event).</p>

<p>It allows JP Morgan to create and strengthen brand awareness for their wealth management / private banking business. It's less to do with corporate investment banking (although the marginal marketing benefits don't hurt - i.e. big shot Managing Directors are sure to have some reserved boxed seats for corporate bigwigs etc.).</p>

<p>Its the same reason top i-banks sponsor events like the Opera, museum exhibitions etc.</p>

<p>Take a quick look at this year's corporate sponsors for the 2006 US Open Tennis Championship:</p>

<ul>
<li>JP Morgan</li>
<li>American Express</li>
<li>Polo</li>
<li>Lexus</li>
<li>Tiffany & Co.</li>
<li>Mass Mutual</li>
</ul>

<p>It's not a NASCAR event.</p>

<p>does it have to be a varsity sport or can it be a club?</p>

<p>Varsity, high profile sport, star. Think Duke Basketball star, Stanford QB, Tiger....</p>

<p>
[quote]
Varsity, high profile sport, star. Think Duke Basketball star, Stanford QB, Tiger....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I hope you are being sarcastic.</p>

<p>Would anyone in their right mind think about going to b-school if you were a once in a generation talent like Tiger Woods? The guy makes millions of dollars off of endorsements alone - his Nike endorsement is a cool $100 million - this is not counting his PGA tour winnings which top $60 million to date...</p>

<p>Give me a break. You don't need to be a Duke basketball star or Stanford QB either...</p>

<p>Of course you don't have to be, but it's something that greatly helps. Firms love to trot out start athletes for a game of golf with clients or to comment in their box at football games. Just like they like to hire high profile former government people and children of the rich and famous (who will get Ivanka Trump?).</p>

<p>This is an industry of connected, beautiful, multi talented people. What it takes to become a sports star has a lot in common with the tenacity and never say die attitiude Wall St. requires. I have known MDs who only hire people who have played team sports. The guys with strong handshakes who lead easily and think fast on their feet.</p>

<p>Don't underestimate how many successful professional athletes get grad degrees and go into business. They usually aren't the quant stars, but they are rainmakers. The smart ones want to do more than smile into a camera upon retirement. Firms start courting them early on offering off season jobs. My bank presently has 2.</p>

<p>There's even a group of former high profile football players who run a silicon valley VC fund.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Varsity, high profile sport, star. Think Duke Basketball star, Stanford QB, Tiger....

[/quote]

A lot of Duke Basketball stars play for the NBA. Stanford sucks at football. If you're as good as tiger, you should make millions going pro. Most athletes aren't smart enough to be investment bankers, and most investment bankers weren't varsity athletes in college. Not to mention a lot of IBs graduated from the Ivy League and the Ivy League isn't exactly known for its superior athletics.</p>

<p>
[quote]
who will get Ivanka Trump?

[/quote]

She makes a lot of money working for her dad.</p>

<p>As far as Ivy athletes, of the 19 seniors that graduated from my football team in 2006, all but 4 are working in NYC as analysts at different firms.<br>
the other 4:<br>
1 was a rhodes scholar finalist, but deferred admission to Harvard to play for the Jets.
2 went to law school and the other is completing his engineering degree</p>

<p>Ivy athletes do very well post graduation, and many many end up on or around Wall Street.</p>

<p>
[quote]
1 was a rhodes scholar finalist, but deferred admission to Harvard to play for the Jets.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I take it you went to Brown?</p>

<p>Congrats on the Ivy Football Championship (were you on the team?) - I hope Nick Hartigan has as much success as he did in the Ivies.</p>

<p>Eventually says it all. There are so few analyst positions and he's talking 15 from one team at one school. That there is a type is an understatement. When I ,meet someone who doesn't fit the type-school, looks, activities-I ask who his dad is.</p>

<p>I'm on the team with some downtime at my summer internship. It was great year and hopefully we will repeat. Nick Hartigan is one of the smartest/craziest/most driven people I've ever met and we are all hoping for his continued success with the Jets. I doubt I will ever be on any NFL practice squad but I love the opportunities and connections one can gain outside of sports by playing and being a part of this league.</p>

<p>i already graduated from college and do IT for a financial services company. I plan on going to business school in 3-4 years. If I want to get into investment banking, how would I go about doing that? I will not have any work experience in finance. WIll I start out as an analyst or associate? </p>

<p>Lets assume I get into a top 20 B school and get a good GPA too.</p>