How to Find a Financial Advisor Internship

Financial advisors often credit their successful careers to the insights and experience gained during internships, underscoring the significance of such opportunities. A financial advisor internship is a valuable stepping stone into the finance industry, a chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations. Here’s a breakdown of what these internships entail, the types of companies offering them, what they look for in interns and how to find the right one for you.

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Financial Advisor Internship Basics

A financial advisor internship is typically an entry-level position where the intern supports financial advisors in various tasks like researching investment opportunities, preparing financial plans and communicating with clients. You can gain hands-on experience in various areas and services, learn how to navigate complex financial markets and cultivate valuable client interaction skills. Furthermore, you build on plenty of networking opportunities, which eventually may lead to a permanent job offer.

An important step in finding an internship is preparing for the interview. It’s a good idea to prepare for common interview questions such as:

Why are you interested in this internship?
What relevant skills can you bring?
Tell us about a situation where you solved a complex problem.

Similarly, understanding the job expectations can help interns know what skills they’ll be using and developing, the tasks they’ll be responsible for and how they’ll be contributing to the company. Both are interconnected and crucial steps in the overall hiring process.

As you’re looking for a role, it’s also important that you network with as many people actively working in the industry as possible. You’ll be able to get a better understanding for how your future role will go, as well as insights to job openings that others might not be aware of.

Internships are a key stepping stone to a successful career in finance, offering the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world scenarios and gain a comprehensive understanding of the financial advisory industry.

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Where to Find a Financial Advisor Internship

Two financial advisor interviewing a candidate for an internship.

Securing a financial advisor internship is a key step toward gaining hands-on experience in the industry. Whether you’re a student or are in the middle of a career change, there are numerous resources that can help you find the right opportunity. From job boards and company websites to independent financial associations, here are some of the places you can start in your search for a financial advisor internship.

Job Boards

Online job boards are a great place to start your search for a financial advisor internship. They aggregate listings from multiple companies, making it easier to find open positions and browse ones that may align with your interests.

Internships.com specializes in internship listings across various industries, including financial advising.
LinkedIn’s job search function allows you to find internships, as well as connect with professionals in the field.
Indeed.com is one of the largest job search engines, offering a vast selection of financial advisor internship postings.
Glassdoor.com is known for its company reviews, but also features a comprehensive job board with internship opportunities.

Company Websites and Independent Associations

Many financial institutions and industry organizations also post career resources, job boards and internship opportunities directly on their websites. Checking these sites can give you direct access to programs that are designed to develop future financial advisors.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management offers structured financial advisor development programs and internships, giving interns a strong foundation in wealth management.
The Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) Board provides internship listings, career resources and online career fairs designed to help aspiring financial advisors.
The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ (NAIFA) career center includes listings for internships in financial advising and related fields.
The Society of Financial Services Professionals (FSP) is a professional association that offers job postings, including internship opportunities, for those pursuing careers in financial services.
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) provides a job board for fee-only financial planning firms, including internship opportunities in the field.

What Companies Look for in a Financial Advisor Intern

Companies typically expect their interns to be proactive, eager to learn and able to work in a team. Assessing how your skills and ability fit into a specific company’s culture are important considerations during the hiring process. Understanding a company’s culture and aligning it with your personal preferences can also help you choose the right internship that aligns with your career goals.

To be considered for an internship, companies typically look for interns with strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, keen attention to detail and a firm understanding of financial markets. For example, if you’re proficient in financial software, you may be tasked with analyzing client portfolios using that software. These skills are foundational for a career in financial advisory and will be accentuated throughout your internship journey.

In terms of your overall profile, companies often prefer candidates with a strong academic record in finance or related fields. If you’re involved in extracurricular activities like finance clubs, case competitions or volunteering, these can also enhance your candidacy. Activities such as these demonstrate a genuine interest in finance and display initiative, both of which are highly valued by potential employers.

Bottom Line

Two financial advisors reviewing candidate applications for an internship.

The process of securing a financial advisor internship is an exciting step towards building a rewarding career in finance. Internships offer a unique opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world scenarios, gain invaluable industry experience and establish professional networks. So, think of an internship as a chance to walk in the shoes of a financial advisor before committing fully.

Tips for Becoming a Financial Advisor

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If you’re ready to start down the financial advisor career journey, consider these steps to becoming a financial advisor. If you’re still on the fence then you might want to compare the pros and cons of becoming a financial advisor.