Hey everyone,
I’m an international student currently finishing my master’s in finance (graduating May 2026). Right now, I’m doing an internship at a CDFI where I work as a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) intern. I’ve really enjoyed working in this space, especially around community development finance, deal structuring, and impact investing.
Ideally, I’d like to move into a role at a bank or a consulting firm that works in similar areas (NMTC, community development, structured finance, or impact investing). I’m also open to financial analyst roles, but I’m honestly not sure how to position myself or where to start targeting.
I feel like my experience is somewhat niche, and I’m not sure how to translate it into more mainstream finance roles or what kind of companies/teams I should be applying to.
For anyone who’s been in a similar position: • How did you transition from a niche finance area like NMTC/CDFI into banking or consulting? • What roles/titles should I be targeting? • Are there specific firms, teams, or keywords I should focus on? • Any tips for standing out as an international student in this space?
Would really appreciate any advice or direction. Thanks in advance!