Maximizing Your Summer Finance Internship

Episode 3 | July 2, 2024

A summer finance internship can be one of the most transformative experiences in a student’s professional journey. In Episode 3 of The Coffee Chat Podcast, host Mike talks with Zach, a junior at Fordham University and Adventis-certified student, about how to make the most of those crucial eight weeks. Drawing from his experience interning in Asset Management at Oppenheimer, Zach offers practical advice for excelling both during and beyond your internship.

Be a Sponge and Ask Questions

Zach’s biggest takeaway from his Oppenheimer internship was simple but powerful: “You have to be a sponge.” He explains that interns shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions, even the ones that might seem obvious. “There’s the famous saying that there are no dumb questions, and there really aren’t,” he says. Finance professionals use plenty of abbreviations and jargon, so asking for clarification can actually accelerate your learning and help you sound confident in future conversations.

Mike agreed, noting how quickly knowledge compounds once you understand the language: “All the acronyms and different vocabulary in finance can be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.”

Stay Organized During Recruiting

Zach’s methodical approach to internship recruiting was another key to his success. Long before securing his role, he built a custom internship tracking spreadsheet, a tool that helped him stay on top of applications, networking contacts, and follow-ups.

“Every recruiter I spoke to said I was the only student who had shown up with a spreadsheet,” Zach recalls. His organized process impressed hiring teams and helped him make a strong first impression.

Today, Adventis simplifies this process through its Internship Database, a resource Zach says would have been “incredibly helpful” during his search. He adds that keeping your own notes and networking contacts organized is still essential: “If you don’t remember who you talked to, you risk reaching out to the same person twice, which can be a bad look.”

Control the Controllables

When it comes to landing a finance internship, Zach advises students to “control the controllables.” While you can’t predict a recruiter’s decision or the competition, you can control your preparation, persistence, and mindset. “You have to tell yourself it will work out,” he emphasizes.

Mike echoed this sentiment, pointing out how maintaining confidence and professionalism through the process reflects the kind of analyst firms want to hire.

Leverage the FMC® Program to Stand Out

Zach credits the Adventis Financial Modeling Certification® (FMC®) Program with giving him a major edge, both during recruiting and in his internship. “It makes you understand how the three financial statements are connected in ways you can’t imagine,” he says. Beyond technical skills, the certification signals initiative to employers.

“When a recruiter sees that on your resume, they’ll ask what it is,” Zach explains. “You can say, ‘I went above and beyond my coursework to learn financial modeling on my own.’ That shows passion and drive.”

He also highlights how the FMC® Program helped him become more efficient in Excel, an essential skill for any finance analyst. “If you can make your work 10% faster, that’s an hour saved in a 10-hour day.”

Keep Learning and Lead by Example

As a campus leader for Adventis, Zach encourages peers to stay engaged: “If you can’t be in a leadership role, go to boot camps or online programs. Or, become a mentor, teaching others proves you understand the material at a deeper level.”

Zach’s advice for underclassmen is clear: maintain a strong GPA, get involved early, and keep learning beyond the classroom. As he puts it, “You’re not just preparing for an internship—you’re preparing for a career.”

See Where Adventis Can Take You:
From undergrads to analysts, discover how students like you landed top roles. Explore Student Success Stories