Most have been though the usual drill: networking with alumni, impressing recruiters at info sessions and career fairs, and trying to nail tricky interview questions.
Wherever you're coming from, it's time to get organized and know how to stand out from the rest of the extremely competitive pack.
Hedge fund giant Citadel, which frequently posts "stumpers" on its careers Twitter and apparently has a strong #UglySweater game, recently published a checklist for new interns:
1. List your goals
Write down what you want to get out of the internship before your first meeting with your manager.
2. Identify milestones
Develop goals with your manager for projects to tackle and skills to master.
3. Document your experience
Keep a journal detailing these throughout your internship: questions, advice, what you love, what you don't, what you learned.
4. Build a 'career board of directors'
Seek out people who believe in you and are willing to meet regularly to answer questions and provide advice.
5. Know it is ok to ask
Know that your mentors were once new to the workplace. It's ok to ask them big picture questions.
6. Create a feedback loop
Regularly ask your manager these questions: How can I chip in more? What am I doing right? What can I improve?
7. Show you're a team player
Ask people not just about their roles, but about the teams they're a part of. You'll discover what teams you gravitate towards.
8. Connect the dots
Shadow a quantitative researcher, software engineer, equities analyst, or trader.
9. Learn about idea generation
Ask portfolio managers about how they generate fresh ideas for strategies.
10. Show gratitude
Write thank you notes to those who mentored you throughout the internship. Keep in touch with them through LinkedIn.