Internship Spotlight: Sarah Zhang ’26, Citi
After navigating investment banking recruitment with the help of SOM resources and peers, Sarah Zhang earned an internship at Citi’s San Francisco office.
Internship: Citi, San Francisco
Hometown: Hefei, China
Pronouns: she/her/hers
The SOM class you’re using on the job: Sourcing & Managing Funds
Go-to work lunch: Sweetgreen
After-work routine: Sleep or take a walk in the city
Favorite thing about internship city: Boba tea stores
I spent 10 weeks working as a summer associate in the technology group of Citi’s San Francisco office, supporting live transactions and pitch processes. My responsibilities included conducting industry and company research, preparing client materials for both mergers and acquisitions and equity market projects. I was drawn to Citi because of its culture and people. During the interview process, I felt an exceptional fit with the team’s collaborative spirit, intellectual rigor, and genuine support for each other’s success.
During my first year at SOM, I drew on many of the school’s resources to equip myself for this challenging experience. The Finance Club played a huge role in my preparation, providing a highly structured process that guided us through each step of recruiting. Second-year students were incredibly generous with their time and support, offering technical training and mock interview prep as well as providing encouragement and mental wellness check-ins along the way. In addition, SOM’s extensive network, with strong alumni connections across investment banks, gave me access to valuable insights and relationships that greatly enhanced my readiness for the internship.
Even though the recruiting process can be difficult, I found that it made my MBA experience incredibly fulfilling. I gained a deep understanding of market dynamics through preparation, and systematically refined my personal stories to stand out more effectively in interviews. I also met many like-minded peers through the Finance Club who have since become close friends. The internship also allowed me to see firsthand the pace, challenges, and rewards of tech investment banking. By the end of the summer, I was able to confirm that this is the career path I want to pursue after graduation.
One highlight of the internship was how much Citi invested in building community and fostering relationships outside of the office. We enjoyed multiple social events, including community volunteer work, pickleball matches, a baseball excursion, and casual after-work gatherings. The vibe turned out to be much more chill and approachable than I had expected, and I built genuine connections with many full-time colleagues. This fun, friendly culture was an aspect of the internship I hadn’t anticipated but deeply appreciated.
As I wrap up the summer and head back to SOM, I’m looking forward to bringing what I learned during the internship back to the classroom, and sharing my experiences with first-year MBA students who are preparing for investment banking recruiting.
