<p>I'm currently a high school junior in New Jersey (maybe half an hour from the city), and I'm having a really hard time trying to find a finance internship for the summer. I'd like to get into investment banking, but anything in finance interests me at this point. </p>
<p>I've spoken to my cousin who's pretty high up in M&A at a large bank, but he's based in England. He told me that most of the large firms do all their hiring ot H&R. I've found that it's really hard to contact the larger firms, as many do not provide emails on their websites.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any information (contacts, techniques, etc) that can help me out?</p>
<p>if you parents don;t know powerful people at ibanks, you can just forget about this option. no ibank will hire a high schooler unless you are hooked up.</p>
<p>You definitely need some sort of connection to get internships of that sort at a bank. Banks are large organizations so connections are necessary for positions for high school students. A friend of mine got a position because he met someone fairly high up at an ibank and was able to get a position. Its pretty rare to find some place willing to give high schoolers a shot (and even then you are interviewed to ensure that you are smart/know your stuff). Ask your cousin if he can pull some strings in NYC.</p>
<p>mahras2-"and even then you are interviewed to ensure that you are smart/know your stuff"
how much do they expect highschoolers to know about finance?? Like just basic stuff or what</p>
<p>Well I got my internship because I happened to know some finance. A lot of the interview was about me talking about what I had done and him asking me questions. Unless you have been studying/trading etc for a while its pretty hard to impress these folks and show them that you are worth a shot. After that there were mathematical questions which I didn't do too well on (but not bad enough as I did get a position). BTW I am not at an ibank (I am at a HF/trading firm). The person I know who had the position at the bank also went through a similar experience (except less detailed).</p>
<p>I didn't have any big shots batting for me so I had to have a good interview to actually get it.</p>
<p>Well, I sent some cover letters to some hedge funds and some people at some of the larger banks..hopefully I'll get a response soon, and then we'll see how it goes.</p>
<p>Any tips on what to do from here (assuming theres a response)?</p>
<p>I am a high school junior as well seeking a business internship. I sent out about 40 letters to local businesses in my area. Its been only a week and I have 2 said they were interested and 2 said they were not. If you want more info PM me. The one I got rejected or... denied from was Edward Jones. I have not gotten accepted at Merrill Lynch's or other big firms. I will tell you if i do.</p>
<p>Dunno, they have internal regulations so unless it's a tiny firm or you know the branch manager it might be tough. In HS and frosh year of college these types of internship positions are usually acquired through a friend of a friend..</p>
<p>Well just to update, since this thread has been ressurrected. I've obtained an internship at a BB firm, though not in IBD. Hopefully the experience will prove useful in terms of networking, access to resources, etc.</p>
<p>good work
it will be a good experience to see the inside of a large bank while a freshman
learn as much as you can, and build relationships with as many people as you can</p>