Spring Break
Inside Hell Week
One Student's Search for a Summer Internship
As told to Elana Green (NI), Associate Editor
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: News
January 26, 8:40 PM: I've read three chapters of an NYU-Stern professor's Finance PowerPoint presentation in the past couple hours. It's amazing how much Finance you can learn in a short amount of time when you're not doing the case method.
January 27, 4:30 PM: More interview prep. I think my sectionmate described it best: studying for I-banking interviews is like studying for a final exam, except you don't know what the course topic is. It could be about finance, accounting, economics, breaking news…take your pick.
January 29, 5:00 PM: I've just learned that I blink too much, but only when I'm thinking too hard. That's what one of my friends told me while we practiced "fit" interview questions. I guess I'll have to keep that in mind along with all the random finance facts and case interview tricks crammed into my head. Control the blinking! But don't forget to smile and be energetic!
February 1, 9:30 PM: I practice my "tell me about yourself" speech one more time. I don't want to sound too rehearsed for my interviews, but I need to make sure I get all my key points in. There's just so much to remember!
February 2, 9:00 AM: Ow! Crap! I just completely wiped out on the ice on the way to my first interview. Thank god I didn't tear my stockings, although it feels like I'm going to have a bruise. I think my hair still looks okay, but I'll double check in the bathroom mirror. Of all the times to slip and fall…you've got to be kidding me…
February 2, 3:30 PM: Having three interviews in one day (two of which were two back-to-back interviews) was exhausting, and this is only day one! A couple hours of relaxation, and then it's off to a cocktail reception followed by a dinner. At least by now I've mastered the ten minute conversation followed by a graceful exit with business card in hand.
February 2, 9:00 PM: Finally home for good. It seems like I've been checking my Blackberry every five minutes all night, probably because I have two voicemails, which are hopefully good news. Okay, not bad - one rejection (no surprise there) and one second round interview. Now I have to figure out how to schedule that into this insane week…
January 27, 4:30 PM: More interview prep. I think my sectionmate described it best: studying for I-banking interviews is like studying for a final exam, except you don't know what the course topic is. It could be about finance, accounting, economics, breaking news…take your pick.
January 29, 5:00 PM: I've just learned that I blink too much, but only when I'm thinking too hard. That's what one of my friends told me while we practiced "fit" interview questions. I guess I'll have to keep that in mind along with all the random finance facts and case interview tricks crammed into my head. Control the blinking! But don't forget to smile and be energetic!
February 1, 9:30 PM: I practice my "tell me about yourself" speech one more time. I don't want to sound too rehearsed for my interviews, but I need to make sure I get all my key points in. There's just so much to remember!
February 2, 9:00 AM: Ow! Crap! I just completely wiped out on the ice on the way to my first interview. Thank god I didn't tear my stockings, although it feels like I'm going to have a bruise. I think my hair still looks okay, but I'll double check in the bathroom mirror. Of all the times to slip and fall…you've got to be kidding me…
February 2, 3:30 PM: Having three interviews in one day (two of which were two back-to-back interviews) was exhausting, and this is only day one! A couple hours of relaxation, and then it's off to a cocktail reception followed by a dinner. At least by now I've mastered the ten minute conversation followed by a graceful exit with business card in hand.
February 2, 9:00 PM: Finally home for good. It seems like I've been checking my Blackberry every five minutes all night, probably because I have two voicemails, which are hopefully good news. Okay, not bad - one rejection (no surprise there) and one second round interview. Now I have to figure out how to schedule that into this insane week…
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