Summer Analyst Review

My role is a summer research analyst. My tasks usually consist of an underlying, longer term project (usually a report/slideshow on a company or sector that I'll present in a couple weeks) and given daily tasks such as reporting earnings for certain companies during morning meetings or compiling research into specific niches.

Yes, here are the skills I have developed most over the course of the internship: - Excel skills (modelling and financial statements) - Communication (letting managers know things, reaching out to others when I need clarification) - Initiative (setting up sit downs/coffee chats with people inside and outside the team as well as activities with other interns) - Time management (delegating time between more urgent daily tasks across different managers and longer term projects) - Presentation (presenting reports and slideshows) - Adaptability and resilience (taking criticism constructively rather than personally and implementing, taking mistakes as learning opportunities)

Not really, but I think I was given as much as should be allowed to a 10-week intern. I was given a fair amount of tasks, but responsibility or tasks where I could make major decisions, not at all. As research analysts though, this is the nature of the work. Even if you are a Managing Director researcher, you give input and expertise into investment decisions, you yourself cannot make decisions without the PM.

A perfect amount, any more and it would have been excessive, any less and we'd feel unsupported.

I did two rotations. First in high yield research where the culture was very warm and friendly. And second in investment grade research, which was still warm and friendly but from the desk setup less easy to chat. Both cultures were very good.

I enjoyed it a lot! I'd probably rate the overall experience as a 9/10 or 9.5/10. This was my first ever internship/work experience in a professional setting (I've had part-time service jobs in secondary school before) and it taught me a ton.

Yes

If you're debating between which division you want to join, try and set up a coffee chat or sit down with a more junior (analyst or associate) employee from your top two choices! Get to know them, their journey, what they do on a day-to-day, how they make decisions or manage their time, and what they think of their team. This can help you make your decision.