Building relationships is one of the most effective ways to land a job in the financial services industry. Getting a corporate finance internship is a good way to start your finance career. Opportunities may be discovered in investment banks or analyst firms, which are where much of the corporate finance activity begins. It’s possible that internship programs will be paid — or at least include a stipend — for students interested in pursuing a career in this field.
The ability to participate in real transactions is perhaps the most exciting aspect of a corporate finance internship. As a result of the various divisions and parties involved in corporate finance, internship opportunities can be varied. Ideally, a student should be given an assignment that will expose them to their preferred field of practice. Any specialization will be less important at this stage if students are interested in gaining a broad overview of corporate finance.
An internship in corporate finance could be obtained in a financial institution’s analyst group. A student may have the opportunity to observe and evaluate financial transactions being prepared for the financial markets here. Other finance professionals, such as dealmakers and analysts, are likely to be involved. A student with a background in finance, as well as analytical and communication skills, is qualified for this type of assignment.
A company may seek advice from a third-party consultant firm before launching any corporate finance deals in the capital markets. A corporate finance internship at a financial consulting firm might be possible. A student should learn about the various types of deals that could occur under the corporate finance umbrella in this type of assignment. When a company is undergoing a formal restructuring, for example, a consultant may be hired to assist in the development of a turnaround strategy for that client. Learning what type of transaction is appropriate for various client needs can be beneficial to an intern.
A corporate finance internship with an investment bank in the deal-making division may be the most rewarding for a student interested in becoming an investment banker. Interns can expect to be invited to meetings with senior bankers and corporate executives for discussions that lead to major financial market transactions. Students learn how to use economic conditions and other factors to determine when it is appropriate to raise equity or debt in the financial markets. Relationships formed during this stage of a corporate finance internship could lead to future employment opportunities.