<p>I am currently a freshman planning on dual majoring in aeronautical engineering and mechanical engineering. I also hope to minor in economics. I am completely new to the internship scene, and am just beginning to do research. Although I am in engineering, I plan to go on to a top B-school to get my MBA after graduating.
So far I have achieved a decent GPA. I would like to do something this summer to build off from for my future internships. I heard people talking about getting internships at different positions in I-banks, but I don't understand how they have learned that much after their freshmen year. What majors will typically apply for internships for finance or consultant work? As an engineer, and I really limited to some kind of research summer job? What are my options? </p>
<p>As an engineer, you are building solid quantitative skills that is essential to a career in finance. Provided you truly are good with numbers =). But anyway, it is typically much more difficult for an engineer to break into an IBank just because sometimes people think you lack an interest in the field. My recommendation is to begin building up a resume that says, "I will be a financial guru." Join an investment club on campus, start taking some finance courses(wallstreetprep etc) and get some experience through unpaid internships as those are typically the only ones you'll be able to land.</p>
<p>Your first option is to start with a wealth management firm and complete an internship there before moving onto something a bit more technical. It will really solidify that you have an interest in the field and not applying for the sake of making money.</p>
<p>Trading would be a good field for you. Especially when it comes to pricing derivatives using simulations. Other fields you may consider include risk management as it entails some technical work and a lot of mathematics(stochastic calculus). But of course, you can trade equities also. It just depends on where you want to go.</p>
<p>Don't be dead set on becoming an M&A analyst because it involves some fundamental accounting principles. Unless you have completed some form of formal training, wallstreetprep or training the street.</p>
<p>But here are some rules to consider if you want to get into an ibank.
3.5+GPA - higher the better
Leadership experience through clubs/frats
1400+ SAT score... 1600 national merit finalists and academic competition winners usually make up a large population at an ibank.</p>
<p>As far as pay, I am not concerned with getting pay for this summer. I would be willing to simply use the experience and the people I may meet as pay in itself. Hopefully that will make my search easier. I am also involved in my school's investment club. We have stock simulations and, although very basic, some informative workshops. Again, I plan on minoring in Economics, but we also have many management and investment classes here. I have just taken an introductory economics course, and plan on taking a managerial economics course next semester. My school is an engineering school, but it is also known for a strong management program. What kinds of courses should I start considering?</p>