happycosmos

I've successfully obtained an internship with a Hedge Fund this summer. I'll be doing research and do a bit of equity analysis on energy and mining stocks. Of course there'll be grunt work but I don't really care - this experience would be very interesting and a good stepping stone to IBs and Fund houses ( I hope ).

No strings were involved - I applied "cold" to the firm and went for an interview. Standard stuff. It's not like my dad ran the fund or something.

I'm only a freshman majoring in Economics. The interviewers didn't seem to mind, though. I was interviewed by both of the fund's founders. Perhaps my previous internships ( done before college ) in Banks helped somewhat.

All I'm sayin' is, if you're hardworking and thick-skinned enough, freshmen could get cool internships in financial services. Don't let our status dissuade us. I applied to more than 30 firms "cold" and received 3 interviews. One was successful ( i.e. this one.)

Anyways here are some questions I got during my interview. Hope these are of some use!

- How did you hear about our firm?
- What do you know about us and what do we do?
- Why do you want to work in hedge funds?
- What do you want to do after graduation? (I said investment management)
- Why do you want to work in investment management?
- Tell me about your ECs.
- Assuming we hire you, what do you hope to get out of this internship?
- Are you a curious person?
- Are you good with Microsoft Excel and Bloomberg ?

naff

dude.... u freaking kidding me???
Can you kindly PM me your cover letter?...

What do you exactly mean by "cold"?
What are the few companies you applied to?
I applied to 40 firms and received 1 interview which is not even confirmed.

happycosmos

Hey man I've sent you a PM. Hope it helps somewhat.

"Cold" means I either sent the firm an unsolicited email or cold-called them and not through an online application or via my college's career center. Essentially I asked if the firm needed any interns this coming summer. Some firms I applied to were Macquarie, Savills, and a host of little hedge funds. I suppose my previous internships helped somewhat as I already had relevant working experience.

Don't give up guys...hard work will pay off, eventually. If all else fails then try to network and ask your parents' friends or something. That usually works.

neutralnuke

what were your previous internships?

I'm a high school senior unsuccessfully looking for any summer internships in finance.
Also, what college do you attend?

Congratulations on getting the internship!

happycosmos

Hey neutralnuke

Thanks for your encouragement,
it could be a little tough for high school seniors but not impossible. Do you read the financial press regularly? You could try to get some experience with the Bloomberg terminal, take the certification course or something ( it's free ). Firms could always do with someone to do data research, etc. Failling that, there're always tempstaff agencies for you to try.

My previous internships were obtained due to strokes of extremely good luck, they were at a stock exchange and at a second-tier european bank ( which has rather large operations in the city of chicago...wouldn't be too hard to guess which bank)

thatbiggbadwolfy

happycosmos:

All I have to say is, congratulations and good work.

wisewallstwhiz

Congrats Happycosmos!

mahras2

What the OP says is very possible. I have been interning at one during summers + school years since junior year of high school (i am finishing up senior year now).

I wouldn't say that you will get it after 30 tries because frankly I was partly lucky (and did well in my one-two hour of math grillage) but you never know. The point is...don't whine about your age but get out there and give it a shot.

Congrats again.

cpchang

first of all, congrats. I am a student in Cal looking to break into i banking. My goal is to land an summer analyst internship next summer in one of the major banks. What type of internship should i try to get to maximize my chance next summer? it seems difficult to get an internship, since i dont really have any relevent experience. I was a teller at a local bank for a year thats about it. How did you guys get the first finance internship? btw i am an industrial engineering major. Thanks. If happycosmos could PM me his/her resume and cover letter as an example i would really appreciate. Thanks a lot.

harvardman1988

hey, is it possible to get an account management internship as a freshman?

kguo7

Wow, getting that internship was probably harder than getting into Harvard. Congratulations, though. Can you send me the list of firms you applied to? I am looking for an internship in finance as well. My e-mail is kguo747@gmail.com.

quickflood

First of all, congratulation on your internship

second, where can you find certification course for free?

lastly, if it's not too much trouble, can you PM me what firm did you apply to

thank you

happycosmos

You can register for the bloomberg certification course at any bloomberg terminal. Classes are held in bloomberg offices in various cities - check to see if your city has one. They're usually held during lunch time so professionals can take the course during lunch break.

I applied to a host of small locally-based hedge funds, no I'm not in the USA so you probably haven't heard of any of these funds. ( Didn't apply to any giants e.g. Citadel, Fortress, etc. ) I also sent unsolicted emails to various firms in various industries including Franklin Templeton, Aberdeen Asset Management, Babcock and Brown, Macquarie, Savills, Jones Lang Lasalle, CB Richard Ellis, BNP Paribas, AM Investment Bank Berhard, Mercer Oliver Wyman etc.

millerforthree

Happycosmos, can you please PM me a copy of your coverletter? Thanks.

PeterY321

Happycosmos...that's absolutely awesome. I'm a junior looking for hedge fund work and was also wondering if you would be willing to PM me the email body you sent to these companies.

Congratulations again!