From Zero to JP Morgan Intern: My Journey of Self-Discovery
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Background
- The Sophomore Year Struggle
- Discovering My Interests
- Applying to JP Morgan
- Super Day Interviews
- Dealing with Rejections
- Tips for the Recruiting Process
- The Importance of Mindset
- Managing Yourself During the Process
- Knowing Your Story
- Conclusion
📝 Article
🌟 Introduction
Can you believe it? I have been selected for an internship at JP Morgan! It still feels surreal to me. As a junior studying hotel management and pursuing a minor in finance, this opportunity is both unexpected and exciting. In this article, I want to share my journey of how I landed this internship and discuss the valuable lessons I learned along the way. Whether you're a student going through the recruiting process or simply curious about what it takes to secure an internship at a top firm, I hope my experiences and tips will be helpful to you.
🌟 Background
Before I dive into the details of my journey, let me introduce myself. My name is Warren, and I'm currently a junior at Cornell University. Like many students, I was initially focused solely on academics and achieving good grades. However, as I progressed through college, I realized that landing a job or internship required more than just a strong GPA. It involved gaining practical experience and showcasing a willingness to learn outside of the classroom. This realization sparked a curiosity in me to explore different career paths and discover my true interests.
🌟 The Sophomore Year Struggle
During my sophomore year, I witnessed many of my peers securing internships for the upcoming summer. It was disheartening because I had no idea where to begin or how to navigate the recruiting process. Being an immigrant from Japan and coming from a background where internships were not the norm, I felt lost and unsure of how to proceed. Up until that point, my sole focus had been on academics, so the idea of finding a job outside of school was completely new to me.
🌟 Discovering My Interests
In an attempt to gain some clarity about my future career, I decided to take a summer internship at Hershey Entertainment. The internship consisted of two parts - working as a food manager and financial analysis. While the food manager position did not align with my interests and left me feeling unfulfilled, the financial analysis aspect sparked a genuine passion within me. I enjoyed analyzing financial statements and gaining insights into restaurant operations. It made me realize that finance might be an area I want to explore further.
🌟 Applying to JP Morgan
Armed with newfound interest in finance, I decided to apply to several top firms, including JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley. I knew breaking into the world of investment banking would be a formidable challenge, but I was determined to utilize my bilingual skills (English and Japanese) to my advantage. While I didn't heavily rely on networking, I knew that my unique language abilities could make me stand out as a candidate.
🌟 Super Day Interviews
After submitting numerous applications, I received a promising email from JP Morgan. I progressed through their screening process and was invited to multiple Super Day interviews. One took place in New York, followed by Palm Beach, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, and North Carolina. These interviews were nerve-wracking, but I made a conscious effort to be myself and express my passion for finance. Surprisingly, the New York interview didn't go as well as I had hoped, but I managed to connect with interviewers during the other Super Day sessions.
🌟 Dealing with Rejections
Unfortunately, despite my positive experiences during the Super Day interviews, I received rejection emails from JP Morgan. It was disheartening and made me question my worth. I had invested so much time and effort into the process, and yet, I still couldn't secure an internship. However, I quickly learned that rejection is a common part of the recruiting process, and it shouldn't be taken personally. Each rejection served as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. It forced me to identify my weaknesses and work on improving them.
🌟 Tips for the Recruiting Process
Through the highs and lows of my recruiting journey, I discovered a few valuable tips that I believe can benefit anyone going through a similar process:
- The Importance of Mindset: Instead of dwelling on rejections, maintain a positive mindset and view each setback as a learning opportunity.
- Managing Yourself During the Process: Don't overwhelm yourself by applying to an excessive number of positions while juggling academic demands. Prioritize and focus on industries and positions that align with your interests and skills.
- Knowing Your Story: Learn to articulate your experiences and passions effectively. Use your resume as a starting point and bring it to life during interviews by attaching personal stories and connections to your achievements.
- And more...
🌟 Conclusion
In conclusion, securing an internship at JP Morgan has been an incredible journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The recruiting process taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, self-belief, and the power of embracing rejection as a stepping stone towards success. I hope that by sharing my experiences and tips, I can help aspiring interns navigate their own paths with clarity and confidence. Remember, the journey may be challenging, but as long as you believe in yourself and keep pushing forward, you will ultimately find your place in the career of your dreams.
Resources:
Highlights
- Landing an internship at JP Morgan: A journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
- The importance of mindset: Viewing setbacks as learning opportunities.
- Managing oneself during the recruiting process: Balancing academic demands and job applications.
- Articulating one's story effectively: Bringing resumes to life with personal anecdotes.
- Tips for success: A compilation of strategies to stand out in the recruiting process.
FAQs
Q: What made you choose JP Morgan over other firms?
A: The experiences and connections I made during the Super Day interviews at JP Morgan resonated with me the most. The firm's corporate Investment Banking division aligned well with my interests and goals.
Q: How did you handle rejection throughout the process?
A: Initially, rejection hit me hard and made me question my worth. However, I eventually learned to view each rejection as an opportunity for growth. I identified areas for improvement and worked on enhancing my skills and interview techniques.
Q: Apart from bilingual skills, what other qualities did you emphasize during your interviews?
A: I emphasized my passion for finance and demonstrated my knowledge of current financial news and market trends. I wanted interviewers to see that I was genuinely interested in the field and actively kept myself updated.
Q: How did you manage your time while handling interviews and midterms simultaneously?
A: Balancing interviews and midterms was a significant challenge. In hindsight, I learned the importance of managing my time effectively and prioritizing tasks. I also sought support from friends and family, which helped alleviate some of the pressure.
Q: What advice would you give to students navigating the recruiting process?
A: Believe in yourself and your abilities. Embrace rejections as learning experiences and continuously strive to improve. Be proactive, articulate your experiences effectively, and maintain a positive mindset throughout the journey.
