Goldman Sachs CEO Offers Crucial Advice for Interns on Climbing the Corporate Ladder
Landing a Goldman Sachs internship is no easy feat, with an acceptance rate of approximately 0.7%. For the 2025 summer program, over 360,000 applicants worldwide competed for only 2,600 spots.
In a speech to the 2025 class of summer interns, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon emphasized the importance of patience and recognizing that their career journey is just beginning. He said, "You have no idea where your career will take you... but it’s an incredible journey... my biggest and most important message is don’t be in a hurry."
The Goldman Sachs internship program is highly selective and competitive, not only in admissions but also for performance during the internship. Interns are well compensated, receiving pay equivalent to a prorated base salary of a first-year full-time employee in the same function and location. The program serves as a primary pipeline for full-time employment at Goldman Sachs, with new programs encouraging career pathways inside the firm such as transitions from investment banking to asset management.
Solomon also shared his own experience, stating that he was offered a job at Goldman Sachs in the early 2000s that he didn't want, but it led to his ascent to more senior positions. He encouraged interns to be open to new opportunities and to not be afraid to take on a job they may not initially want.
The students selected for the 2025 summer program were chosen from more than 500 schools and collectively speak over 85 languages. Solomon suggested that interns should ask themselves if they enjoy the work they're doing, if it's intellectually stimulating, if they like the people they're working for and with, and if they learn from them.
Despite not mentioning specific changes in the size of the applicant pool under his leadership, nor the current stock price or ticker symbol for Goldman Sachs, Solomon did acknowledge a significant increase in the applicant pool since he took the helm in 2018, with a 15% increase compared to a year ago.
In conclusion, securing a Goldman Sachs internship requires exceptional qualifications and navigating a highly selective process. However, Solomon encourages interns to view their experience as the start of a long career journey rather than rushing to immediate outcomes. By taking a patient and open-minded approach, interns can make the most of their summer at Goldman Sachs and set themselves up for success in the future.
[1] Goldman Sachs, "Goldman Sachs Announces 2025 Summer Internship Class," Press Release, link
[2] Goldman Sachs, "Goldman Sachs Launches Career Pathways Program," Press Release, link
[3] Goldman Sachs, "Goldman Sachs Announces 2025 Summer Internship Class," Press Release, link
- Aspiring Goldman Sachs interns may find it challenging to secure a spot, given the high competition and selective nature of the program, as evidenced by the 2025 summer program that accepted only 0.7% of the roughly 360,000 applicants worldwide.
- During his speech, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon emphasized the significance of patience in the career journey and emphasized that the internship serves as a gateway to potential future investments and finance-related careers.
- As part of the internship program, interns receive compensation reflecting a pay scale equivalent to a first-year full-time employee's base salary, making it an attractive opportunity for those interested in banking, investment, and business careers.
- Goldman Sachs interns are encouraged to take a mindful approach to their summer experience, assessing if they find their work intellectually stimulating, enjoy working with their colleagues, and learn from their mentors, all of which are essential factors for long-term career success.
- Under CEO David Solomon's leadership, there has been a noticeable increase in the applicant pool, with the latest data indicating a 15% increase in applicants compared to the previous year, reflecting a growing interest in investing, finance, and the banking sector.
