Best way to take advantage of finance connections?
I am a college junior seeking summer internships (and, after next year, full-time employment) in finance. What is the best way to take advantage of personal connections in the finance world? I'm under the impression that I must tread carefully and not ask anyone to help me circumvent processes. What specific things should I ask of a contact?
FWIW, my specific situation is this: My contacts are fairly-to-very tenuous -- my friends' parents, my father's work contacts, my college and high school alumni networks. Is the answer different for a friend's parent that I've met personally versus a high school alum that I'm cold-emailing?
Is the answer different for a contact at a big I-bank where the internship process is very well-defined versus a contact at a PE firm that doesn't usually take on interns?
I'd really appreciate any insight offered. Thank you!
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