Perhaps you are torn between working for a flamboyant investment bank or taking on a more imaginative position in a corporation. Summer internships, in essence, provide more than just work experience; they offer invaluable networking opportunities and the chance to create a winning résumé. While a good internship can help to accelerate your professional journey, the wrong choice can leave you feeling wasted. What is the best way to make this decision?
This article aims to provide you with the most informative guide regarding some of the most prestigious internships available for students finishing a business degree: investment banking, management consulting, accounting, and corporate business roles. We will detail each role’s responsibility, the most relevant firms to apply for, compensation details, and essential skills needed to excel. With this information, you will gain confidence in navigating the overwhelming internship search and pursue your ideal career path. Are you set to unleash your potential?
Investment Banking: High Stakes, High Rewards
Have you ever been in the vicinity of the national-level discussing competitors’ investment banking with his teammates at a local coffee shop? You must have seen that forks specializes in generating, and dealing in huge sums is where they operate best. The only caveat is their attention is fickle and so you must ensure your offer deck has the modern wonders. The internship experience bagged at the IPO from first turn investment associated job tends to shift bank begins by trying physically participating Iowan June brokerage freelance gigs.
Your responsibilities entail creating intricate financial models, drafting substantial assignments, or monitoring the financial news. The catch, be prepared for the burnout: working 16-hour days, six times a week, racking an astounding 70 to 100 hours a week. However, the rewards are attractive; at premier firms such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan or boutique stars like Evercore, interns get around $1750 per week, which is approximately $17,500 for the 10-week stint. To keep pace, sharpen your skills in Excel, Financial modeling and valuation. Extra credit will be given if you know how to create graphics in PowerPoint, write in VBA, SQL, Python, or do some other activities like learning a foreign language. Everything is taught in a very demanding manner with the expectation that this will unlock a career in finance.
Management Consulting: Tackle Major Issues
Now, imagine that your job is to solve problems for powerful corporations like Tesla or McDonald’s, you don’t need to go far their management consultants do just that. The strategic challenges that an intern’s help tackle includes things like automating a fast-food kitchen and breaking into new markets like electric powered airplanes. An analyst will have to gather and present data for the clients and produce insights, incorporate quantitative skills alongside the soft skills and deliver the findings.
Top firms like McKinsey, Bain and BCG (the “MBB” elite) or others like Accenture pay well—around $1,500 weekly, or $15,000 for 10 weeks. Work hours? A hefty 50–80 hours a week, less grueling than banking but still demanding. Make sure to stand out by excelling in business statistics, Excel, and PowerPoint. Coding, sports, and even a second language are great additions too. Pro tip: to prepare for interviews, practice case studies (McKinsey has some available at no cost) because there’s consulting requires coming up with imaginative ideas paired with elaborate plans.
Accounting: The Spine of Business
Any business will run smoothly with its Accountants. An internship with PwC, EY, Deloitte, or KPMG has students assembling the financial records that go into the various expense reports and taxation income statements. These tasks will require you to address “How much do we save for tax?” or “What cash flow do we have?”. Highly detailed, yes, but also crucial.
Expect a range of $20 – $30 PER HOUR which amounts to $11,250 if you work for 10 weeks. Their weekly workload is very reasonable, capped at 40-50 h. If it’s the end-of-year closing time, there will be spikes. Being proficient with Excel and basic accounting is essential, but knowing how to use PowerPoint and ERP software like Oracle or SAP will set you apart. Less competitive than banking or consulting, accounting offers stability and global opportunities with the Big Four’s massive networks. If you love structure and precision then you are in luck.
Corporate Business Areas: Multi-Dimensional Influence
Apple’s business planning or marketing intern roles at Coca Cola, both corporate-sponsored internships have an excitement that’s akin to an interactive storytelling experience which allows students to experience an array of industries that encapsulate strategy, operations, sales, and more. Each adventure has a specific goal: revenue increases or cost decreases. As with any story, there are all sorts of unique challenges to face while overcoming the different objectives, from campaign development and budget planning to sales figure analyses. These internships are a great opportunity for corporate exploration.
Internships at Visa, Amazon, Meta and other Fortune 500 listed companies are a must for anyone looking to make an eye-catching resume. Pay rates usually start at $15-$25 an hour, approximately $8,000 for a ten-week duration, but hours tend to be relaxed, 40-50 hours a week. Regardless of the role, there are a few common skills that can be relied on: excel, PowerPoint, sql and power BI. Soft skills, basic finance knowledge, excel and power point file creation are extra value-added assets. Aside from the obvious great pay provided, these internships come with great freedom and a great look into the corporate world giving aspiring students a chance to figure out career decision, which makes them really appealing.
Key Takeaways
- Investment Banking: Dive into finance with high pay ($17,500/10 weeks) and intense hours (70–100 weekly). Master Excel and modeling to join Goldman Sachs or Evercore.
- Management Consulting: Solve strategic puzzles at McKinsey or BCG, earning $15,000/10 weeks. Excel, PowerPoint, and case study prep are key.
- Accounting: Build financial foundations at PwC or Deloitte for $11,250/10 weeks. Excel and ERP skills open stable, global paths.
- Corporate Business Roles: Explore versatile roles at Amazon or Visa for $8,000/10 weeks. SQL, Power BI, and adaptability shine.
Conclusion: Your Internship, Your Future
The internship world is vast, and no single path fits everyone. Whether you’re drawn to investment banking’s adrenaline, consulting’s creativity, accounting’s stability, or corporate flexibility, each offers unique ways to grow. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just take one step. Research firms, practice skills, and talk to peers who’ve been there. What’s the smallest action you can take today to move closer to your dream role?
Experiment, reflect, and trust your journey. Your internship isn’t just a summer job; it’s a story you’ll tell in interviews, a spark for your career. So, go for it—apply, learn, and let these opportunities shape a future that’s distinctly yours. The maze isn’t so scary when you’ve got a map. What’s your next move?