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What specific steps can I take to land a competitive finance internship?
Hi CareerVillage community,
I’m a senior finance major at Baruch College, and I’m working hard to land my dream internship in the finance industry—specifically in areas like financial planning, investment management, or corporate banking. As an immigrant and first-generation college student, I’ve been juggling full-time school, a full-time job, and supporting my family financially.
While I’ve gained valuable experience in customer service and sales, and learned a lot about business through hands-on roles, I sometimes feel overlooked when applying for internships that require direct finance experience. I’m very eager to learn and grow in this field, but I’m not always sure how to make my background stand out to recruiters.
I’d really appreciate any insight or advice from professionals who’ve been in the industry or from students who’ve been in a similar situation. Thank you so much!
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Rafael’s Answer
Hi Mohamed,
Congrats you are on a great path! Scoring a finance internship can be tough, but your unique background can be very helpful. I totally recommend to show off those transferable skills from your customer service and sales —like communication and problem-solving smarts. Update your resume and cover letter to highlight any finance coursework or projects, and make your passion for finance shine through. You will need to dive into networking by connecting with professionals in the industry on LinkedIn, plan on going to finance events, and joining clubs at Baruch College. Improve your know-how with online courses in financial modeling or investment analysis. Moreover, do not forget to visit Baruch's career center or services for resume tips and practice interviews. Keep going, and you will land that internship very soon!
Congrats you are on a great path! Scoring a finance internship can be tough, but your unique background can be very helpful. I totally recommend to show off those transferable skills from your customer service and sales —like communication and problem-solving smarts. Update your resume and cover letter to highlight any finance coursework or projects, and make your passion for finance shine through. You will need to dive into networking by connecting with professionals in the industry on LinkedIn, plan on going to finance events, and joining clubs at Baruch College. Improve your know-how with online courses in financial modeling or investment analysis. Moreover, do not forget to visit Baruch's career center or services for resume tips and practice interviews. Keep going, and you will land that internship very soon!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mohamed !
With a full time job and being a full time student it's no wonder that you were not able to participate in the Internships for experience that Baruch College offers students in their Junior and Senior years. Your best advice is going to come from one of your actual professors who knows you. Do not underestimate the experience you've gained through doing customer service work. Perhaps you could apply for a promotion there at the company that knows you or for a different position once you receive your degree. Most students go to college full time and work part time.
In addition to getting your Bachelors Degree, you can consider both going for your Masters Degree as well as obtaining special certifications that are offered to your field of work. Again, you will know the details for this by asking one of your finance professors because really, no one can tell you how to land an internship or a job, you'll have to apply to all that you can find and wait to hear back.
As a Senior at Baruch College, I am sorry that at this time you have little guidance for the world of finance, especially when you live in New York City. Your time is filled up with work and school so that may be why you didn't make strong connections with people at the college. You can only do what you need to do. If you still have to work full time, that will be something you will have to decide. Employers want applicants that can do the job, have experience, good communication skills as well as applicants that are very familiar with the finance district and industry in New York City. Those are extra things besides the education that would qualify you for a career in Finance in New York City. For the finance jobs you apply to, other applicants will maybe have the experience and a Masters Degree.
It's just a matter right now of doing some assessment of your schedule and seeing when and how you can work in getting certifications or doing volunteer work in finance since you didn't have time for the Baruch Internships. Internships are for students or graduates that would need little direction, know the job fairly well and is a way to get experience. You'll just have to consult with your Finance Department at Baruch for opportunities because they really are the experts and have connections with the finance community in New York City and maybe even Westchester County.
I hope this helps and I wish you well !
With a full time job and being a full time student it's no wonder that you were not able to participate in the Internships for experience that Baruch College offers students in their Junior and Senior years. Your best advice is going to come from one of your actual professors who knows you. Do not underestimate the experience you've gained through doing customer service work. Perhaps you could apply for a promotion there at the company that knows you or for a different position once you receive your degree. Most students go to college full time and work part time.
In addition to getting your Bachelors Degree, you can consider both going for your Masters Degree as well as obtaining special certifications that are offered to your field of work. Again, you will know the details for this by asking one of your finance professors because really, no one can tell you how to land an internship or a job, you'll have to apply to all that you can find and wait to hear back.
As a Senior at Baruch College, I am sorry that at this time you have little guidance for the world of finance, especially when you live in New York City. Your time is filled up with work and school so that may be why you didn't make strong connections with people at the college. You can only do what you need to do. If you still have to work full time, that will be something you will have to decide. Employers want applicants that can do the job, have experience, good communication skills as well as applicants that are very familiar with the finance district and industry in New York City. Those are extra things besides the education that would qualify you for a career in Finance in New York City. For the finance jobs you apply to, other applicants will maybe have the experience and a Masters Degree.
It's just a matter right now of doing some assessment of your schedule and seeing when and how you can work in getting certifications or doing volunteer work in finance since you didn't have time for the Baruch Internships. Internships are for students or graduates that would need little direction, know the job fairly well and is a way to get experience. You'll just have to consult with your Finance Department at Baruch for opportunities because they really are the experts and have connections with the finance community in New York City and maybe even Westchester County.
I hope this helps and I wish you well !
Updated
Briana’s Answer
Hi Mohamed. Stay positive! I know it can be tough to get an internship in finance, especially since you're both a full-time student and employee. Use this to your advantage. Highlight in your resume how managing both school and work has given you skills that are valuable in finance. Try connecting with finance professionals on LinkedIn. Learn about their roles and what they look for in interns. Reach out to them or connect with recruiters while applying for internships. Also, make use of your college's career center to boost your resume and interview skills. Focus on what you can improve and clearly show the skills you've gained from your experiences. If possible, consider volunteering or taking an unpaid internship to strengthen your resume. You've got this!