Breaking into the finance industry can feel overwhelming, especially when you're aiming for your first internship. The competition is intense, the expectations are high, and it can be difficult to know where to start. But with the right preparation, mindset, and strategy, landing your first internship in finance is not only possible—it can be the stepping stone to a rewarding career.
This guide covers the essential steps you need to take to secure a finance internship, whether you're in your first year of college or switching careers. And while we’ll focus on finance, many of these tips are universal—just like how students preparing for careers in healthcare lean on TEAS exam help for structured prep, aspiring finance interns can also use strategic tools to boost their chances.
- Understand What Finance Internships Are Looking For
Finance is a broad field, encompassing roles in investment banking, corporate finance, financial planning, risk management, accounting, and more. Depending on your target area, employers will look for different qualities—but some universal skills include:
- Strong analytical and quantitative abilities
- Proficiency in Excel and financial modeling tools
- Basic understanding of financial statements
- Attention to detail
- Communication and teamwork skills
Before applying, research different finance roles to understand what you’re most interested in. For example, investment banking internships are high-pressure and data-intensive, while a corporate finance internship might focus more on budgeting and forecasting.
- Start Building Relevant Skills Early
You don’t need a finance degree to break into finance, but you do need finance-ready skills. Many students mistakenly believe that coursework is enough—but real-world experience, even if it’s simulated, goes a long way.
Here are ways to start building your toolkit:
- Take online courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer excellent finance and accounting courses.
- Join student finance clubs: Many universities have investment clubs or finance associations that let students manage mock portfolios or attend networking events.
- Use financial modeling tools: Learning platforms like Wall Street Prep or CFI (Corporate Finance Institute) can give you a practical edge.
- Participate in competitions: Try CFA Institute’s Research Challenge or case competitions organized by firms like Deloitte.
Think of this stage like students preparing for nursing school with TEAS exam help—the more targeted your preparation, the stronger your foundation will be when opportunity knocks.
- Polish Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Your resume is often the first impression a recruiter will have of you, so it needs to tell your story in a clear, concise, and compelling way.
Key Resume Tips:
- Use action verbs like “analyzed,” “developed,” or “collaborated.”
- Quantify your achievements wherever possible (e.g., “Created budget forecast that reduced expenses by 15%”).
- Highlight transferable skills from part-time jobs or class projects.
- Tailor your resume for each application by aligning it with the job description.
Also, make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and professional. Use a clean headshot, write a compelling summary, and connect with classmates, professors, and alumni in finance.
- Leverage Campus Resources
Your college career center is one of the most underrated assets in your internship search. They often have partnerships with companies looking to hire interns, and they can help with:
- Resume reviews
- Mock interviews
- Networking events
- Career fairs
Ask about job boards or alumni directories that list internship opportunities. The earlier you build relationships with your career advisors, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they go public.
This is similar to how students studying for the nursing field often rely on TEAS exam help provided by their campus or online communities—accessing expert guidance gives you an edge.
- Network Like Your Career Depends On It (Because It Does)
Many finance internships are filled before they’re ever posted online. This is where networking becomes crucial. Build a network of people who work in finance or are on the same journey as you.
How to network effectively:
- Attend finance-related webinars, conferences, or student-led events.
- Reach out to alumni on LinkedIn with a short, polite message: “Hi [Name], I’m a student at [University] interested in finance and came across your profile. I’d love to learn about your journey into the industry if you have a few minutes to chat.”
- Don’t ask for a job—ask for advice. People are more open to helping when you approach them as a learner.
Be proactive, curious, and genuine. Over time, your network can refer you to internships, mentor you, or help with interview prep.
- Apply Broadly and Strategically
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to large firms, boutique companies, startups, and nonprofits. Smaller firms may not have formal internship programs but may be open to taking on a driven, enthusiastic intern.
Where to look:
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Handshake (for students)
- Indeed
- Company websites
- Campus job boards
Tailor each cover letter to the company’s culture and internship role. A generic application is easy to spot—and easy to ignore.
- Master the Interview
Once you get to the interview stage, it’s game time. Finance internship interviews typically include both behavioral and technical questions.
Behavioral Questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Describe a time you worked in a team.
- What’s your biggest weakness?
Technical Questions:
- Walk me through a cash flow statement.
- What are the three main financial statements?
- How would you value a company?
Preparation Tips:
- Practice with friends or mentors.
- Record yourself answering common questions to evaluate tone and clarity.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure responses.
Much like how TEAS exam help prepares nursing students with mock tests and focused drills, your interview prep should simulate real conditions to build confidence and accuracy.
- Follow Up Professionally
After interviews or networking conversations, always send a thank-you email within 24 hours. Reiterate your interest in the role, mention one highlight from the conversation, and keep it professional.
This small step often sets you apart, showing maturity and attention to detail—two qualities finance firms value deeply.
- Stay Consistent and Resilient
Landing your first finance internship may not happen overnight. Rejections are part of the process—but every resume you write, every interview you attend, and every connection you make brings you one step closer.
Keep building your skills, refining your pitch, and expanding your network. Remember, consistency beats talent when talent doesn't stay consistent.
Think of it like preparing for the TEAS exam—you might not ace every mock test, but with the right TEAS exam help, consistent study, and focused effort, you eventually succeed. The same applies here.
Final Thoughts
Landing your first internship in finance isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about being the most prepared, the most resilient, and the most curious. Equip yourself with technical skills, build a strong resume, leverage every resource you can, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
And remember: every industry has its tools for preparation. Nursing students have teas exam help. You have online courses, resume coaches, and a world of professionals just a LinkedIn message away.
Your internship is out there—and it’s closer than you think.
