The Exact Playbook I Used to Land Top Finance Internships
Episode 30 | October 27, 2025
In Episode 30, host Ben sits down with Dimitri, a Miami University graduate who built his finance career from the ground up, starting as a golf caddy and ending up at one of Chicago’s top private equity firms. Dimitri breaks down the step-by-step playbook that helped him land competitive internships and full-time offers in investment banking and private equity.
From the Golf Course to Wall Street
Dimitri’s journey began far from Wall Street on the golf course. As a caddy in Connecticut, he spent his summers surrounded by executives and financiers. “It was really like paid networking,” he says. “I overheard conversations about deals and markets that opened my eyes to the finance world.”
Through the Evans Scholarship for caddies, Dimitri chose Miami of Ohio for its strong business program and student-run Investment Banking Club, which became instrumental in launching his finance career.
Early Internships and Discovering the Right Fit
After his freshman year, Dimitri interned at a $3 billion registered investment advisory firm. “It was incredible to get an internship that early,” he says, “but I realized I wanted something more analytical.” That experience helped him pivot from wealth management to investment banking, a crucial step many students overlook.
By sophomore year, he joined Miami’s Investment Banking Club, where peer mentorship and hands-on case competitions gave him real-world exposure to the work analysts do.
Three Pillars of His Success
When Ben asked what led to his success, Dimitri identified three pillars:
Technical Skills: “The Financial Modeling Certification® Program from Adventis gave me the foundation I needed,” he explains. “It helped me perform in case competitions and speak confidently in interviews.”
Case Competitions: Dimitri treated case comps like professional portfolio projects. “When one private equity firm asked for work samples, I sent them a deck and model from a William Blair case competition,” he recalls. “That’s what got me the job.”
Targeted Networking: Using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Dimitri identified over 100 alumni at small private equity firms and personally reached out to each. “I got 80 responses. You just need a focused list and persistence.”
Turning Practice into Performance
Dimitri’s strategic preparation paid off with internships at Copley Equity Partners and MBF Healthcare Partners, before earning his dream role at William Blair. He later transitioned to Pritzker Private Capital, where he now works on the investing side.
Reflecting on his journey, Dimitri advises students to “sequence things properly.” Learn the fundamentals, join the right organizations, build tangible skills, and then start networking. “Take it in strides,” he says. “Don’t worry about being behind others, just keep moving forward.”
Key Takeaway
Dimitri’s story proves that top finance internships aren’t won by luck; they’re earned through structured preparation, persistence, and passion. With tools like the FMC® Program and real-world experience through case competitions, students can replicate his exact playbook for success.
Take the Next Step in Finance:
Learn exactly what it takes to launch your career in investment banking. Enroll in the FMC® Program
