Lincoln International internships offer hands-on experience in global mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and corporate finance. These programs are designed for students and recent graduates who want to learn how complex deals move from conception to close.
Participants work alongside senior professionals on live transactions, using financial models, market research, and client communication to support real advisory projects. The environment emphasizes practical learning, clear feedback, and measurable responsibility.
Lincoln International Internship At A Glance
| Program | Location | Typical Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Banking & M&A | Chicago, London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York | 8–12 weeks | Enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s program |
| Private Equity & Corporate Finance | Chicago HQ and international offices | 10–12 weeks | Finance or Economics focus preferred |
| Technology & Data Analytics Support | Remote and office-based roles | 6–12 weeks | SQL, Python, or Excel proficiency |
Day To Day Responsibilities
Interns support live M&A and private equity transactions by gathering market data, building financial models, and drafting client materials. Typical tasks include comps and precedent transactions research, due diligence support, and creating pitch book slides under senior guidance.
Collaboration is central, with interns working in small teams that coordinate across offices. Regular feedback sessions and structured check-ins help interns understand how their work contributes to client outcomes and internal decision-making.
Exposure to full life cycle deals provides clarity on valuation methods, negotiation dynamics, and closing processes. By the end of the internship, interns should be able to own defined slices of analysis and clearly explain their reasoning to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Skills Development And Mentorship
Lincoln International pairs interns with experienced professionals who provide guidance on modeling techniques, presentation design, and client etiquette. Mentors review real work products and offer concrete suggestions for improvement, which accelerates learning compared to self-directed approaches.
Training modules cover industry research workflows, valuation methodologies, and best practices for modeling and documentation. Interns also practice concise communication through slide reviews, client facing summaries, and mock pitches that mirror real client meetings.
By the midpoint of the program, interns are expected to lead specific analyses and present findings to senior team members. This progressive responsibility builds confidence, reinforces technical skills, and demonstrates readiness for future full time roles.
Career Outcomes And Networking
Many interns receive return offers or are referred to full time roles at Lincoln International or partner firms. The program’s design emphasizes consistent performance evaluation, so strong performers are visible to hiring partners and global offices.
Alumni networks and office events help interns maintain relationships across regions and practices. These connections often provide long term career advice, interview referrals, and insight into how transaction flow and industry specializations evolve over time.
Getting Ready For The Application
- Update your resume to highlight finance coursework, modeling projects, and relevant extracurricular leadership.
- Prepare concise stories about teamwork, problem solving, and delivering results under deadlines.
- Review recent industry transactions and be ready to discuss how they might apply to a specific practice.
- Practice Excel and basic financial modeling so you can comfortably walk through assumptions and outputs.
- Tailor each application to the office and role, emphasizing how your skills align with the team’s focus areas.
FAQ
Reader questions
What kinds of transactions do interns typically support at Lincoln International? Interns support a mix of domestic and cross border M&A advisory, private equity secondary transactions, and corporate finance engagements across multiple industries. How many hours per week should I expect to commit as an intern?
Most programs expect 40–50 hours per week, with occasional evenings and weekends during active phases of live transactions.
Does Lincoln International offer visa sponsorship for international interns?
Sponsorship availability depends on the office location, local regulations, and role requirements, and should be discussed during the interview process.
What academic background is most competitive for the Lincoln International internship program?
Candidates with strong quantitative skills, coursework in finance or economics, and demonstrated experience with financial modeling or data analysis are especially competitive.