Advice for high school students

Hi and welcome! We are impressed you are here.

As a high school student, you have a ton going on. We think it's really great that you are already thinking ahead and taking the opportunity to learn about J.P. Morgan. There are a lot of big decisions ahead of you. And it's good to know your options early.

You're taking your SATs, deciding which schools to apply to, perhaps visiting some - and, wondering what your major should be, where you will live - generally what's ahead. It's a lot to think about and a lot to do. We thought you might appreciate some guidance and perspective from some of our interns and Analysts that were in your shoes not so long ago.

What should your major be?

This is a very big decision, not the least because you'll spend four years immersed in it, and you should enjoy it. We hope you will love what you learn. It may be the one opportunity you have to study the humanities in depth, or see if you have what it takes to be a theoretical mathematician. Whether you're inclined toward art or science, we'd suggest you take the opportunity to bring some balance to your decision.

So, if you're going to be a liberal arts major, take an economics course – you'll be surprised by how much you'll enjoy it. Take an accounting course, too, and one in finance. If nothing else, they will contribute to your financial literacy, and that's something you will use every day of your life in your job, your home and your civic life.

The same holds true for business majors. Take a few literature courses; read some great books. Classes in history, writing, music and art may inspire you - and make for more interesting conversations with clients and colleagues one day.

'If only I had known' - some thoughts from our Analysts:

'I wish I'd known that effective communication skills are such a huge factor, even at the Analyst level.'

'Looking back at college, I should have taken many more writing classes. I'd even say that a few more writing classes are more beneficial than a specialized derivatives class. You can learn the derivatives on the job.'

'Doing an internship is critical - you'll learn so much and it really gives you an edge - especially if you're in liberal arts. For me, the best thing was that I got a full-time offer at the end of the summer before senior year - way before most of my friends.'

'I got J.P. Morgan's Launching Leaders scholarship. It made my last two years at school more manageable and the summer internship set me up for a full-time job. You should apply.'

'Talk to as many people as you can in the industry you are interested in, it gave me great perspectives. And, helped me decide what to do.'

And don't forget...

A diversity of experiences can make you a better candidate for whatever you decide to do after college. Take a leadership role in extracurricular activities. Study abroad for a semester, maybe two. Learn another language, maybe a third. Edit the school newspaper, play sports, become the campus DJ, join the French Club, campaign for someone or run for something, volunteer, start a non-profit, act in the school play…do what you love to do.

Talk, talk, and talk some more

One of the best ways to learn about an industry is by talking to the people in it. Take advantage of programs and events that will give you exposure to the industries you are interested in or even industries you might not be as familiar with. You never know what you might like until you meet the people that do the work and hear why they love it. Networking and speaking with people gives you great insight. Don't be afraid to ask questions and reach out to people to learn from their experiences. And, once you are in college, you can apply to be part of J.P. Morgan's Winning Women Leadership Events or Launching Leaders Experience, where you can really get to know us.

Then call J.P. Morgan

Fast-forward to freshman year. You're attending a great school, have impressive academic credentials and are curious about the opportunities at J.P. Morgan. You may decide to apply for our summer internship program between junior and senior years - or even qualify for our internships for rising sophomores and juniors. And, learn more about how you can earn up to $10,000 with our Launching Leaders Scholarship or experience a visit to our New York City offices during our Launching Leaders Experience.

If you become a Summer Analyst, it may be the smartest move you'll ever make. If you are  graduating high school this year, check our campus schedule to see when we'll be on your future new college campus.

A summer with J.P. Morgan

A summer internship is different than camp or lifeguarding. But we think you will have just as much fun and meet as many new friends. As a Summer Analyst, you will be an integral part of the team, and have the chance to explore its ins and outs, ask all the questions you want - and get a head start on your career. You'll get to know our business, our people, and our approach to life. You will work harder and learn more than you ever dreamed possible, and it will be worth it.

Keep in mind that, while our Analysts must demonstrate a quantitative aptitude, we welcome the diversity that liberal arts students bring. You'll find that we need people who can conceive and write about innovative solutions as much as we need people who can analyze financial statements.

What J.P. Morgan has to offer

We asked a great number of J.P. Morgan professionals why they came and why they stayed, and for virtually all of them, it came down to six key reasons. We call it the Hot Six. Read more about these in Why J.P. Morgan.

Explore more and keep in touch

While you're here, spend some more time visiting our site to see what J.P. Morgan has to offer. Enjoy high school and college. We loved it. And now we love what we do. Keep in touch - we look forward to meeting you one day soon.