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14 Things That Every Wall Street Newbie Needs to Know For Internship Success

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Nowadays the best way to prepare for an internship is to know as much about the experience BEFOREHAND, as possible. There are so many little things that matter in a Wall Street internship…..and the more educated you are, the better off you’ll be.

Every minute in the office matters and every little bit of knowledge puts you one cut above the next man. In this dog eat dog world we live in its always good to know how you should and shouldn’t act on Wall Street if you hope to one day be a permanent staff member, making plenty of cash in the Boiler Room. We share with you 14 Things That Every Wall Street Newbie Should Know.

 

Wall Street Internship Advice

 

#1: Cold calling is hell

We all know it because we’ve all done it. Asking strangers for money on the phone is probably the worst thing you’ll do in your career, but it builds tenacity and forces you to develop an enormous tolerance for rejection.

If you’re perceptive, cold calling will teach you the one sacred truth you need to succeed in this world: Life is a straight-up numbers game, baby.

#2: Beware of egos

Lots of people on Wall Street have enormous egos. When they talk to you, an intern, they don’t actually expect you to speak to them in return. You just need to listen and nod attentively—like you’re hearing the great riddles of the universe solved for your benefit. This may sound demeaning but it isn’t. Not having to talk much or commit to anything is one of the biggest benefits of your internship.

#3: Your boss will lend you money

It sounds shocking, but it’s true. Not only that, he’ll feel good about it because it will make him feel powerful and strong. (For an explanation, see next item.)

#4: Avoid eye contact on the street

Never make eye contact with anyone on the street carrying a clipboard. Even if you come from one of the really polite sections of the country, like the South, you’ll eventually adjust to it.

Just stare at the sidewalk when you walk by anyone who looks like they may be conducting a survey or collecting signatures. (Note: You’ll know when you’ve gotten it right when you’re walking to Penn Station and you get ignored by the guys handing out discounted tickets to the Empire State Building: With enough practice, they’ll know you’re not a tourist from a hundred yards away.)

#5: You are not your boss’ friend

Drinking with your managing director on a Thursday night will only create a false sense of intimacy and equality: Your MD will feel compelled to overcompensate for drunkenly telling you about his fraternity days by icily shunning you on Friday morning.

#6: Your boss knows when you’re hungover.

Nobody buys it when you’re throwing up in the bathroom on a Friday morning with the “Stomach Flu”. Not for one second. We were young once too.

#7: Teamwork = interns make copies

When your boss tells you “It doesn’t really matter what your role is—it just matters that you’re part of the team” he’s struggling to keep a straight face.

#8: Prepare to be disliked

Some people will dislike you if you look like you were one of the cool kids in high school—especially if they weren’t.

#9: You will be judged by your school

People do judge you by where you went to college. (Paradoxically, this is especially true of people who are a little ashamed about where they went to school. Those who attended elite liberal arts colleges typically harbor no illusions about the practical value of their education.)

#10: You’re not as funny as Bess Levin.

Circulating a “comical” email that makes fun of your coworkers as a homage to Bess will get you fired nearly as fast as showing up to the office drunk.(For example, don’t do this.)

#11: You’re not as clever as John Carney

When Carney takes an outrageously contrarian position , he’s got a file cabinet full of GAO statistics and case law citations to support his argument. When you take the same heterodox position, you’ll sound hopelessly uninformed—or just plain unhinged.

#12: How to know when it’s bedtime

After 2 a.m. nobody will remember to text you the address of the bar they’re meeting at.

#13: Beware of social media.

Old people may not read your Tweets—but if you say anything scandalous the social networking rumor mill will deliver the news to your boss almost as fast as Wi-Fi. (Seriously, I think Julia La Roche is Facebook friends with every third intern on Wall Street: She’s so plugged in it’s scary.)
 

#14: This is as good as it gets

As hard as this may be to believe, people are actually being nice to you. When you return as a first-year associate—and they’re paying you real money—it will be a different story because then they’ll own your soul.

9 Powerful Quotes That’ll Inspire You to Be Your Own Boss

 

Article By: BusinessInsider.com

 

I am the the Founder of Addicted2Success.com and I am so grateful you're here to be part of this awesome community. I love connecting with people who have a passion for Entrepreneurship, Self Development & Achieving Success. I started this website with the intention of educating and inspiring likeminded people to always strive for success no matter what their circumstances. I'm proud to say through my podcast and through this website we have impacted over 200 million lives in the last 10 years.

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How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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