How to Find a Finance Internship

 

Find a Finance Internship 

For college students, the real world is just around the corner. Why not experience the "real world" of finance with an internship? This will give you the opportunity to gain experience, possibly some money or additional course credits, and may even lead you to a permanent position. Read on to learn how to find a finance internship.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Researching an Internship

   • 1
     Decide if you want to look at the entire field of finance for an internship or if you want to specialize in commercial banking, corporate finance, financial planning, insurance, investment banking, money management or real estate.
   • 2
     Determine if this must be a paid internship or if an unpaid internship is satisfactory to your needs as well.
   • 3
     Visit your college's career services center or internship programs office regarding your request for a finance internship. Often, companies will contact the college regarding their need for an intern.
   • 4
     Talk to your adviser and other faculty in the finance department. They may have leads for you to go on and can also provide a great reference.
   • 5
     Create a resume. The alumni association, career center or library may have samples for you on which to model your own resume.
   • 6
     Join a finance club so you can network. Go to financial meetings whenever possible. Alumni love to hire their own and companies often seek interns through the club itself.
   • 7
     Search job databases for a place to post your resume online. Search for a finance internship by typing "finance intern" or "finance internship" in the search engine.
   • 8
     Call companies where you desire to work. Ask for the hiring manager and tell him about your goals. Cold-calling never hurts.
   • 9
     Check the classifieds. Often, smaller businesses will advertise the need for a finance intern in your local newspaper classified section.

   Securing an Internship

   • 1
     Once you have found a company where you would like to intern, send a request by email or complete the intern application and return it promptly to the appropriate person.
   • 2
     Dress appropriately and bring a clean resume with references to the interview. Remember, this is a job, so dress professionally. Finance jobs are not typically business casual.
   • 3
     Follow-up with a thank you email or note.
   • 4
     Ask for a detailed list regarding your duties once you have been hired as an intern.
   • 5
     Go to your adviser and find out if this internship qualifies you for additional credits. You may have to jump through some hoops to have this approved but it is well worth it.