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Ready to dive into the exciting world of finance and kickstart your career at one of the most prestigious investment banks in the world? Getting an internship at Morgan Stanley is a highly sought-after goal for many ambitious students. It's a challenging but incredibly rewarding process that can open doors to unparalleled learning and career opportunities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from preparation to application and beyond. Let's get started!
How to Get an Internship at Morgan Stanley: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Discover Your Fit & Passion – What interests YOU at Morgan Stanley?
Before you even think about submitting an application, you need to ask yourself: What truly excites me about Morgan Stanley? Morgan Stanley is a vast global firm with diverse divisions, from Investment Banking and Sales & Trading to Wealth Management, Technology, and Operations. Each division offers unique experiences and requires different skill sets.
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Research the Firm Thoroughly: Spend significant time exploring Morgan Stanley's official careers website.
- Understand their Core Values: Morgan Stanley emphasizes values like putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back. How do your personal values align with theirs?
- Explore Different Divisions and Programs: Read the detailed descriptions of each internship program. Do you have a strong interest in financial markets, technology, or perhaps a corporate support function? Don't just apply for a program because it's popular; choose one that genuinely aligns with your academic background, skills, and long-term career aspirations.
- Read Employee Profiles and Success Stories: Get a sense of what it's like to work there from people who are currently in the roles you're interested in.
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Network Informally (If Possible): While not a formal application step, this is crucial for gaining insights.
- Attend Virtual and In-Person Career Events: Morgan Stanley frequently participates in career fairs, information sessions, and campus recruitment events. These are excellent opportunities to speak with current employees and recruiters. Ask thoughtful questions that show your genuine interest and research.
- Leverage LinkedIn: Connect with Morgan Stanley employees, especially those who were once interns or are in roles you aspire to. Politely request informational interviews to learn about their experiences. Remember to be respectful of their time and prepare specific questions.
Step 2: Build a Strong Foundation – Sharpen Your Skills and Resume!
Morgan Stanley looks for candidates who are not only academically strong but also well-rounded and possess a diverse set of skills. This step is all about preparing yourself to be a top-tier applicant.
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Academics First:
- Maintain a High GPA: While not the only factor, a strong academic record is essential. Morgan Stanley typically prefers candidates with excellent grades.
- Relevant Coursework: While you don't necessarily need a finance major (Morgan Stanley recruits from all disciplines), demonstrate an interest in the field. Take relevant courses in finance, economics, mathematics, computer science, or business, depending on the division you're targeting.
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Gain Relevant Experience:
- Previous Internships or Work Experience: Any prior internships, even if not in finance, can be valuable. Highlight transferable skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, teamwork, and communication.
- Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Roles: Participation in clubs, student organizations, volunteer work, or even sports demonstrates leadership, teamwork, initiative, and time management. Showcase instances where you took on responsibility, solved problems, or contributed to a team goal.
- Personal Projects: For technology roles, personal coding projects, open-source contributions, or hackathon participation can be incredibly impactful. For finance roles, consider investing clubs, case competitions, or independent research.
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Craft a Winning Resume: Your resume is your first impression.
- Tailor it to Each Application: Do not use a generic resume. Customize it for each specific internship program by highlighting skills and experiences most relevant to that role and division.
- Quantify Achievements: Instead of just listing responsibilities, quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, "Managed a project budget of $X, resulting in Y% cost savings" or "Increased club membership by Z% through new initiatives."
- Highlight Key Skills: Include relevant technical skills (e.g., Excel, Python, financial modeling software) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, attention to detail). Morgan Stanley emphasizes these soft skills.
- Keep it Concise and Professional: Aim for a one-page resume, especially for undergraduate internships. Use a clean, easy-to-read format with no typos or grammatical errors. Get multiple people to proofread it.
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Write a Compelling Cover Letter: A good cover letter complements your resume and shows your personality and motivation.
- Personalize It: Address it to the specific recruiter or hiring manager if you know their name.
- State Your Intent Clearly: Clearly state the position you're applying for and where you learned about it.
- Articulate Your "Why": Explain why you are interested in Morgan Stanley, why you are interested in that specific division/role, and why you are the best fit. Be specific. Reference the firm's values, recent deals, or specific initiatives that resonate with you.
- Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of saying "I have strong leadership skills," provide a brief, specific example from your experience that demonstrates this skill.
- Be Concise and Error-Free: Keep it to three to four paragraphs and meticulously proofread for any errors.
Step 3: Navigate the Online Application – Precision and Promptness are Key!
Morgan Stanley's application process is primarily online. Pay close attention to deadlines and ensure all information is accurate and complete.
- *Find the Right Program: Visit the Morgan Stanley careers website and search for internship opportunities that match your qualifications and interests. They offer various programs for different academic levels (e.g., summer analyst, summer associate).
- Online Application Form:
- Complete All Sections Thoroughly: Fill out every required field accurately. Double-check your contact information, academic details, and work experience.
- Upload Your Documents: Ensure your tailored resume and cover letter are uploaded in the correct format (usually PDF).
- Answer Open-Ended Questions: Some applications may include short answer questions, often competency-based. These are an opportunity to showcase your thought process and how your experiences align with the firm's needs. Practice answering common competency questions beforehand (e.g., "Describe a time you faced a challenge and how you overcame it," "Why are you interested in this division?"). Keep your answers concise and impactful.
- Apply Early! Morgan Stanley often recruits on a rolling basis, especially for highly competitive programs. This means applications are reviewed as they come in, and positions can be filled before the official deadline. Applying early significantly increases your chances.
Step 4: Master the Online Assessments – Show Your Analytical Prowess!
After your initial application, you will likely be invited to complete online aptitude tests. These are designed to assess your numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning abilities.
- Understand the Test Types:
- Numerical Reasoning: These tests assess your ability to interpret data from graphs, tables, and charts to solve mathematical problems.
- Verbal Reasoning: These evaluate your ability to understand and interpret written information, often requiring you to deduce conclusions from provided passages.
- Situational Judgement Tests: These present hypothetical workplace scenarios and ask you to choose the most appropriate course of action. They assess your soft skills and how you might react in a professional setting.
- Practice, Practice, Practice! This is the most critical advice for these tests.
- Utilize Online Practice Tests: Many websites offer free and paid practice tests that mimic the format and question types used by major firms like Morgan Stanley.
- Familiarize Yourself with the Format: The questions can feel unfamiliar if you haven't encountered them before. Practice helps you get comfortable with the time constraints and question styles.
- Read Instructions Carefully: Before starting the actual tests, make sure you understand the instructions and any specific guidelines.
- Find a Quiet Environment: Ensure you have a stable internet connection and a distraction-free environment to complete the tests.
Step 5: Ace the Interviews – Tell Your Story and Showcase Your Potential!
If you successfully pass the online assessments, you'll be invited for interviews. These can range from phone screens to video interviews and in-person rounds, including assessment centers.
- Prepare Your Story:
- Know Your Resume Inside Out: Be able to articulate every single point on your resume without referring to it. Be ready to elaborate on your experiences, projects, and achievements.
- Develop Your "Why": Be able to clearly and enthusiastically explain: Why Morgan Stanley? Why this division? Why this role? Why now? Have specific examples ready.
- Prepare for Behavioral/Competency Questions: These questions explore your past experiences to predict future behavior. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Examples: "Tell me about a time you worked in a team to overcome a challenge," "Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership."
- Prepare for Technical Questions (if applicable): For finance-focused roles, be ready for basic technical questions related to finance, accounting, valuation, and market knowledge. For technology roles, expect coding questions or discussions about algorithms and data structures.
- Research the Interviewers (If Possible): If you know who will be interviewing you, look them up on LinkedIn. This can help you tailor your questions and identify common interests.
- Practice Mock Interviews: Practice with career services, mentors, or friends. Get comfortable speaking about yourself and your experiences.
- Formulate Thoughtful Questions to Ask: Always have intelligent questions prepared for your interviewers. This demonstrates your engagement and genuine interest. Avoid questions that can be easily answered by a quick Google search. Ask about their experiences, the team culture, specific projects, or challenges they've faced.
- Professionalism is Paramount:
- Dress Appropriately: Even for video interviews, dress professionally.
- Maintain Eye Contact: If it's a video interview, look into the camera.
- Listen Actively: Pay attention to the interviewer's questions and respond thoughtfully.
- Be Authentic and Enthusiastic: Let your personality shine, and show genuine excitement for the opportunity.
- Send a Thank-You Note: Always send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours of each interview. Briefly reiterate your interest and mention something specific you discussed.
Step 6: The Assessment Centre (If Applicable) – Collaborate and Present!
For some programs, especially in EMEA, the final stage might involve an assessment center, which typically includes a combination of interviews, group exercises, and presentations.
- Group Exercises: You'll be given a problem to solve or a task to complete as part of a group.
- Show Teamwork and Leadership: Contribute actively but also listen to others. Be collaborative, encourage others, and demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team. Don't dominate the conversation.
- Focus on the Solution: Work towards a practical and well-reasoned solution.
- Presentations: You might be given a case study and asked to prepare and deliver a presentation.
- Structure Your Thoughts: Organize your presentation logically with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure you deliver it confidently and within the time limit.
- Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate potential questions and have well-thought-out answers.
- Additional Interviews: You may have further one-on-one or panel interviews during the assessment center.
Step 7: Follow Up and Stay Patient – The Waiting Game!
After completing all interview rounds, the waiting game begins.
- Reinforce Your Interest (If Appropriate): If you haven't already, send a final, brief thank-you to your main point of contact or the recruiter.
- Be Patient: Recruitment processes can take time. Avoid constantly checking in unless advised to do so.
- Stay Positive and Keep Learning: Whether you get the offer or not, every application and interview is a valuable learning experience. Continue to refine your skills and explore other opportunities.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to make my resume stand out for Morgan Stanley?
- Quick Answer: Tailor your resume to each specific role, quantify achievements with numbers, highlight relevant skills (both technical and soft), and maintain a clean, professional, one-page format.
How to prepare for Morgan Stanley's online aptitude tests?
- Quick Answer: Practice extensively with online numerical, verbal, and situational judgment tests to familiarize yourself with the format and improve your speed and accuracy.
How to answer "Why Morgan Stanley?" in an interview?
- Quick Answer: Research the firm's values, recent news, and specific initiatives. Connect these to your personal interests and career goals, showing genuine enthusiasm and knowledge.
How to approach behavioral interview questions at Morgan Stanley?
- Quick Answer: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, providing concrete examples that demonstrate the desired competencies.
How to network effectively for a Morgan Stanley internship?
- Quick Answer: Attend career events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and conduct informational interviews. Always be respectful, prepared with thoughtful questions, and follow up promptly.
How to write a strong cover letter for Morgan Stanley?
- Quick Answer: Personalize it for the specific role and division, clearly state your motivations, show how your skills and experiences align, and meticulously proofread for errors.
How to demonstrate interest in finance without a finance background?
- Quick Answer: Highlight relevant coursework, participate in investing clubs or case competitions, conduct independent financial research, and articulate your passion for the industry.
How to prepare for a Morgan Stanley assessment center?
- Quick Answer: Practice group exercises by collaborating effectively, prepare presentations thoroughly, and refine your interview skills for additional one-on-one rounds.
How to follow up after a Morgan Stanley interview?
- Quick Answer: Send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours, reiterating your interest and referencing specific discussion points.
How to find Morgan Stanley internship deadlines?
- Quick Answer: Regularly check the official Morgan Stanley careers website for updated internship listings and application deadlines, as they often recruit on a rolling basis.
