Tips for Finding Your First Finance Internship

Episode 2 | May 29, 2024

Landing your first finance internship is one of the most important, and often most intimidating, steps toward a career in investment banking or related fields. In Episode 2 of the Adventis Coffee Chat podcast, host Mike sat down with Kiarra Welch, a junior at UCLA and President of the Bruin Investment and Trading Group, to talk about what it takes to secure that crucial first opportunity.

Kiarra’s path into finance began with curiosity but quickly became grounded in hands-on experience. “I gained a few internships in public finance and in wealth management,” she explained. “Through getting to work with both numbers and so amazingly intensely with people, I found that finance really is exactly what I want to do.”

The Challenge of the First Internship

For many students, the hardest step is simply getting started. Kiarra acknowledged this reality: “Getting the first one’s the hardest to get. You probably only have high school stuff on your resume thus far.”

Her advice to freshmen and sophomores is clear: show genuine interest and don’t be afraid to reach out. She emphasized that having curiosity and the willingness to vocalize it can set candidates apart early on.

Networking with Purpose

One of Kiarra’s most valuable insights came from her networking journey. At first, the concept felt foreign, but she soon realized that it was simply about “talking to as many people as possible, finding out what their jobs look like, and whether it’s a fit that’s going to work for both of us.”

She shared that many of her connections began with a simple cold email. “It feels weird, and it takes getting used to, but you’re not alone if it feels awkward,” she said. Once those conversations begin, they can open doors that may otherwise remain closed.

To stay organized, Kiarra built an Excel tracker of contacts, call dates, and follow-ups. “I recommend using Excel if you want to go into finance—get used to it,” she joked, noting the importance of sending thank-you notes after every call.

Preparing for Technicals and Interviews

By the time she decided to pursue investment banking, Kiarra knew preparation was key. Over winter break of her sophomore year, she dedicated herself to technical training. “It wasn’t fun, it wasn’t glamorous—it was a little rough,” she admitted. But by working through M&A guides and practice problems, she strengthened her technical foundation.

Just as importantly, she stressed the need to prepare for behavioral questions: “Technicals are kind of a check-the-box. Where you really differentiate yourself is behaviorally, making your story make sense and showing you’re someone they’d want to work with.”

For practice, Kiarra sometimes recorded herself answering interview questions. “It was awkward, but I became my own biggest critic. Watching myself back helped me change how I answered and improved my delivery.”

Managing Stress and Self-Doubt

Even with preparation, the recruiting process comes with uncertainty. Kiarra admitted that self-doubt was the hardest part: “I had put the work in, but there’s a lot of time where you just wait for the firm’s response, and you can start second-guessing yourself.”

Her solution? Step away. “Go outside, take a walk, touch grass. If you truly feel prepared, you probably are a really good candidate, and something will come.”

Building Community and Giving Back

As President of the Bruin Investment and Trading Group, Kiarra has helped many underclassmen navigate recruiting. Partnering with Adventis, her club now incorporates the Financial Modeling Certification® (FMC®) Program directly into its training. “We’ve been able to give students real technical skills, and I think some of our freshmen are even stronger than our sophomores because of Adventis,” she said.

The FMC® Program offers interactive, hands-on training that students can carry into interviews with confidence. “Being able to build the model yourself makes you understand it so much better,” Kiarra explained.

Final Advice

Looking back, Kiarra’s biggest piece of advice to her freshman self would be simple: “Stress out less. You have time. Enjoy your classes, make friends, and build memories—because those matter, too.”

For students beginning their finance journey, her message is clear: put in the work, embrace networking, prepare thoughtfully, and don’t let stress overshadow the experience. The first internship may be the hardest, but with persistence and the right preparation, the path forward becomes much smoother.

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