Intro

I started a series on Instagram where I answer popular finance recruiting questions & have NEW Job Opportunities below!

What I Wish Someone Told Me

This week's insight: You can't fake conviction, and anyone can tell in 5 minutes.

I was talking to a student who said "I want to do consulting, banking, or private equity." When I asked why, that was the end of the conversation. No reasons, no conviction, just three buzzwords.

Most people recruit this way. They pick what sounds good or what their friends are doing. But you can see through someone without conviction immediately.

My clarity came junior year when I realized I wanted growth equity. But it took four steps to get there:

1. I wanted to do finance

2. Then finance at financial services companies

3. Then finance but not at large institutions

4. Finally, finance with a sales and people component

Each internship gave me data points. Uber taught me I wanted finance at a finance company. Goldman showed me I preferred smaller firms and roles with sales components. General Atlantic confirmed I liked sourcing-oriented, people-driven work but still wanted the analytical side.

The difference is night and day. Instead of throwing out generic answers, I had real reasons backed by experience.

Here's how to build that conviction:

• Send 5 cold emails this week using templates from here 

• Watch these YouTube channels: Aswath Damodaran, Peak Frameworks, Kenji Explained

• Ask clarity-building questions: "Who should NOT do this role? Why do you think you're fit for this role? What characteristics do people who succeed here have?"

The takeaway: No conviction, no offers.

Don't Miss These

Deferred MBA Session with Oba

First Internship Blueprint with Oba - @Obatried 

Q&A + How to get your first internship with someone who had 7 internships

Career Strategy Call with Oba 10-60 minute strategy call with someone who landed 7 internships and got into Stanford GSB. Get the exact framework I used plus see if ongoing coaching fits your goals.

Paid Part Time Remote Jobs Platform Paid part-time remote roles paying $40 to $270 per hour across different fields. SWE to finance to teaching. 20-40 hours per week on your schedule.

Target Test Prep Exam prep I used to get into Stanford GSB

Resources This Week

Stock Pitch Examples by a former Hedge Fund Analyst

Links for additional Resources can be found HERE

New Opportunities

• Ares Management - 2026 Summer Intern

• Deloitte - Deloitte - Corporate Finance Investment Banking Analyst

• Deloitte - Deloitte - Business Strategy Summer Scholar (Summer 2026) 

• Blackstone - 2026 Blackstone LaunchPad Summer Analyst

• Blackstone - 2026 Blackstone Infrastructure Portfolio Operations, Analyst

• StepStone Group - 2026 Private Equity Summer Analyst

• General Atlantic - 2026 Analyst, Investment Areas (Financial Services)

• Truist - 2026 Truist Securities - Investment Banking - Summer Analyst Program

oba

shoutout to you if you made it this far

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