Help following up for a summer internship

[The Speculator]

Alright so I'm a junior at really competitive university and internship season is basically over. Unlike many of my peers, I happen to know exactly what I want as opposed to most of them who are battling over the prestigious investment banking interships. Granted, my resume is no where near the best or what bulge brackets are looking for... but knowing exactly what I want is going to prevent me from wasting my time.

I want to become a trader at a proprietary trading firm. Sophomore year I hit it off with the manager of a branch who came to the career fair. I demonstrated to him my passion and desire, and he remembered me the next year. He's also been very good at getting back to me on emails... most of the time people don't respond to my emails. The firm doesn't have any official summer internships going on, but I decided to email him and be frank about asking for any summer opportunities.

He responded that he would like to give me a summer intern position... jackpot! He also said that he'd have to come up with the tasks that I'd be doing, and asked whether I would be interested in something like this. I already sent an email back saying how I would be ecstatic to be able to contribute... that was about a week ago.

I haven't heard anything back yet, and from past experiences I know that in this situation I won't be getting any emails if I just wait. So I want to write another email here basically getting this opportunity set in stone and to lock in more details. (it really reads like a weak offer to me, and a weak acceptance on my end... granted, he doesn't seem like the type of guy who would be jerking me around.) Any tips on what I should write and how to word things?

EDIT: Or, should I call him? I have his business card and phone number so I could just call him up. So far I've been just emailing. Calling is more assertive, but these guys trade for a living... don't know if calling while the market is open is the best idea.

[R1ckynutz]

:bj:

[TL_Diplomat]

its only been a week, you need him more than he needs you right? give the guy some space, dont annoy him. I would wait another week, and email him saying that you want to know if it was clear that you should signed up for the internship class.

Thats the best way to get your answer with sounding like you are nagging.

[CaseLogic]

:bj:
keep the discussions serious here

[CaseLogic]

From a business point of view, an email is probably more convenient to them. Plus writing > speaking a lot of the times, even if it's an email over a letter.

I would basically start off by thanking him for the offer, and ask him for more details on the position. Ask him what specific types of tasks you would be fulfilling as well as the kind of hours you'd need to put in, etc. Just be really inquisitive - it shows that you're genuinely interested and those are responsible questions to be asking. Some stupid people ask immediately how much the offer is. That is just tacky

[Binary Soldier]

Sounds a great chance. I would do some research on their business just to show how serious you are and also maybe give you another reason for contacting him.

Are summer internships the norm is the US?

[CaseLogic]

Sounds a great chance. I would do some research on their business just to show how serious you are and also maybe give you another reason for contacting him.

Are summer internships the norm is the US?
for a lot of industries, yes

[The Speculator]

From a business point of view, an email is probably more convenient to them. Plus writing > speaking a lot of the times, even if it's an email over a letter.

I would basically start off by thanking him for the offer, and ask him for more details on the position. Ask him what specific types of tasks you would be fulfilling as well as the kind of hours you'd need to put in, etc. Just be really inquisitive - it shows that you're genuinely interested and those are responsible questions to be asking. Some stupid people ask immediately how much the offer is. That is just tacky


Thanks for the advice CaseLogic! So far my action has been, wait that additional week, and then I wrote him an email basically wait you outlined. I didn't mention money - it's not my style, and I figure that if I'm any good that problem will take care of itself anyways. I'll let you guys know what happens.