Sarasota, Florida, offers a burgeoning landscape for aspiring finance professionals. While not as large as financial hubs like New York or Chicago, Sarasota boasts a healthy economy driven by tourism, real estate, and a growing number of affluent residents, leading to a demand for financial services. This creates opportunities for finance internships, albeit often requiring proactive searching and networking.
Types of Finance Internships:
Internships in Sarasota’s finance sector typically fall into several categories:
* Wealth Management/Financial Planning: Given Sarasota’s demographics, many internships are available with wealth management firms. These internships provide exposure to client interaction, investment portfolio analysis, financial planning, and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities may include preparing client reports, assisting with research, shadowing financial advisors, and learning about different investment products. * Banking: Local branches of national and regional banks often offer internships. These opportunities can involve roles in customer service, loan processing, credit analysis, and branch operations. Interns might assist with daily transactions, learn about banking regulations, and gain an understanding of the lending process. * Real Estate Finance: With Sarasota’s vibrant real estate market, internships in real estate finance are also available. These might be with mortgage brokers, real estate investment firms, or property management companies. Interns could be involved in analyzing property values, assisting with loan applications, and researching market trends. * Accounting/Corporate Finance: While accounting internships are distinct, some smaller companies may offer internships encompassing both accounting and finance responsibilities. These roles might involve assisting with financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing financial data. * Insurance: Insurance companies and agencies also sometimes offer internships related to financial analysis, risk assessment, and investment management.
Finding Finance Internships in Sarasota:
Securing a finance internship in Sarasota often requires a multi-pronged approach:
* Online Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Handshake (often used by universities), and Glassdoor are valuable resources. Filter by location and internship type, and be sure to customize your resume and cover letter for each application. * University Career Services: If you are a student, your university’s career services department is an excellent starting point. They often have relationships with local businesses and can provide valuable advice on resume writing, interviewing, and networking. Nearby institutions like University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and State College of Florida can be valuable resources. * Networking: Attend local business events, career fairs, and networking events to connect with finance professionals. Informational interviews can provide valuable insights into the industry and potential internship opportunities. Utilize LinkedIn to connect with individuals working in finance in the Sarasota area. * Direct Outreach: Identify firms that interest you and directly contact their HR departments or hiring managers. Even if they don’t have advertised internships, expressing your interest and skills can sometimes lead to an opportunity.
Tips for Success:
* Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant coursework, skills (e.g., financial modeling, data analysis, communication), and previous experience. * Prepare for Interviews: Research the company thoroughly and practice answering common interview questions. Be prepared to discuss your interest in finance and your career goals. * Develop Your Skills: Consider taking online courses or obtaining certifications in areas like financial modeling or data analysis to enhance your qualifications. * Network Diligently: Building relationships with finance professionals is crucial for finding opportunities and advancing your career.
While the finance internship landscape in Sarasota might be smaller than in larger cities, it offers valuable opportunities to gain practical experience, build connections, and launch your career in the finance industry. Persistence, networking, and a well-crafted application are key to success.