Figuring Out Recruiting as a Freshman

By: Janiyah Ross

A Real Freshman Moment

I remember sitting in one of my first info sessions at Stern, listening to upperclassmen talk about recruiting timelines, coffee chats, and technical interviews. I realized I did not fully understand half of what they were saying. Somehow, everyone around me was nodding along, asking questions, and talking about firms like they had been preparing for this for years. I was very confused on how some people already had so much prior knowledge, and I was just trying to keep up. I left that room with a mix of motivated, overwhelmed, and confused feelings. That was one of the first moments when I realized how intense recruiting at Stern can feel, even as a freshman.

The Reality of Recruiting at Stern

It doesn’t take long after arriving at Stern to notice how much of the environment revolves around recruiting. Conversations about coffee chats, applications, and internships quickly become part of everyday life. What surprised me the most was how early everything started. I came in thinking I had time to figure things out, but it felt like everyone already had a plan. I personally experienced this during the start of my fall semester when clubs started opening up applications for selective analyst programs. I did not expect being involved in clubs to be almost as stressful as recruiting for a junior summer internship. Everyone around me was sending cold emails to upperclassmen in clubs like Finance Society and Investment Analysis Group, all hoping to secure at least an interview. During common hour, Tisch Hall was filled with freshmen coffee chatting for these clubs, creating a high-pressure environment and a growing desire to get accepted. It quickly became clear that at Stern, everyone is ambitious and willing to work hard for the roles they want. Because of that, it’s easy, even as a freshman, to feel like you’re already behind, even though you’re just getting started.

Feeling Out of Place + Being a Woman in Finance

There have definitely been moments where I have walked into rooms and noticed I was one of the only women there, specifically a Black woman. At first, that made me question whether I really belonged in those spaces, but over time, I have begun to see it differently. Instead of seeing it as something that sets me back, I am slowly realizing that it can actually set me apart. Being a woman in finance means bringing a different perspective into rooms that do not always have it, and that is something I am learning to lean into rather than question. I bring a perspective as a woman in finance, so I approach these spaces with curiosity and willingness to learn.

What “Being Intentional” Actually Looks Like

As I started to feel more comfortable in these spaces, I also began to reflect on how I was approaching in the process overall. One of the biggest lessons I have learned so far is the importance of being intentional. At first, I thought I needed to do everything. I was trying to go to every event, sign up for every opportunity, and say yes to everything because I did not want to miss out. But that quickly became overwhelming, and I realized I was not actually getting much out of it. What started to help was being more selective. When I go to firm events now, I try to understand what the firm does and think about what I actually want to ask. During conversations, I focus on being present instead of trying to sound perfect. Afterward, I make an effort to follow up in a way that will keep the connection I made in person. Being intentional is not about doing more, it is about doing things with purpose.

Exploring My Interests

One thing I am still figuring out is what I actually want to do long term. Coming into Stern, investment banking felt like the default path, but I have realized there are so many different areas within finance. I am still in the process of exploring what I am most interested in, and a lot of that has come from conversations with upperclassmen and learning about their experiences. Hearing different perspectives has helped me understand that there is no single path, and that it is okay to not have everything figured out right away. This is something I believe every freshman coming into Stern must understand.

Clubs & Programs That Helped Me

Getting involved on campus has made a huge difference in how I approach recruiting. They have facilitated the opportunities I have had to talk to upperclassmen and professionals about their experiences, allowing me to explore different careers. For example, being part of BlackGen Capital’s analyst program has helped me start building technical skills, while also giving me a space to learn alongside other students who are going through the same process. It made everything feel more approachable. Through Girls Who Invest, I was also able to explore the investment management space and different careers on the buy-side, which is different from what students typically pursue at Stern. And USWIB has particularly been a crucial community for me. Being part of USWIB has given me the opportunity to attend panels and networking events like Conference and the Alumni Mingle, exposing me to the industry and the wide range of career paths within finance. The network and community USWIB offers are incredibly strong, but most importantly, it has empowered me as a woman, always reminding me that although women are underrepresented in the business world, breaking in and succeeding is absolutely possible.

Finding Your People

One of the most important things I have learned is how valuable it is to have the right people around you. Talking to upperclassmen has been especially helpful. My friend Isabella from my sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma also happened to be the co-president of  USWIB, and I was always able to ask her tons of questions about anything I was confused about which really helped me in the first semester. I remember having conversations where she was honest about how stressful recruiting can be, but also reassuring in the sense that no one has it all figured out at the beginning. That perspective changed how I approached everything. It made me realize that it is okay to learn as you go. Being in USWIB has allowed me to find other women like myself who are facing the same recruiting challenges.

Building Confidence Over Time

Confidence has probably been the hardest part for me so far.

There were moments during early networking conversations where I felt intimidated and unsure of what to say. But over time, I started to realize that no one expects freshmen to have perfect answers. What matters more is showing curiosity and being willing to learn. I am still building that confidence, but each conversation has made it a little easier. I think also knowing your personal story and practicing how to “pitch” yourself to recruiters can help with confidence. Something valuable I learned has been that finding a friend who will listen to you repeat your personal story over and over again can help strengthen your confidence and interviewing skills overall. 

Owning Your Path

It’s easy to feel like there’s one “right” path into investment banking, but as my freshman year comes to an end, I’ve realized that isn’t true. Everyone brings different experiences, interests, and timelines, and those differences aren’t weaknesses, they’re what set you apart. Being a woman in finance is part of that. It’s something that strengthens the perspective I bring into these spaces, not something I need to work around.

Conclusion

I am still figuring out the recruiting process, and I definitely do not have everything mapped out yet. But if there is one thing I have learned so far, it is that you do not need to have everything figured out to get started. You just need to be willing to put yourself out there, learn as much as you can on your own, and take things one step at a time.