In the late 1980s, students like Gustavo Schwed gave little thought to career paths until late in college. Today, the competition for Wall Street roles begins during freshman year, as investment banks, hedge funds, and tech firms vie for talent. Students face pressure to secure internships early, leading to concerns about burnout and the absurdity of making career decisions at such a young age. A survey by Business Insider among finance students highlights their motivations and challenges in navigating this complex recruitment landscape, indicating a significant shift in expectations and pressures.
"People didn't really give their job as much thought until, really, the summer between their junior and senior year - if then," said Schwed.
"I am a sophomore in college, and it's kind of outrageous that we have to decide at this age - I just turned 20 - what my first job is out of college."
Investment banks now compete with multibillion-dollar hedge funds, private equity firms, 'elite boutique' banks, and even tech companies for talent, resulting in a mad rush for recruits earlier than ever.
Those who wait or don't learn the recruiting game quickly enough risk being left behind.
Collection
[
|
...
]