Trump 2.0: Wall Street Recruiting Dynamics and Implications for International Students

With Donald Trump officially inaugurated, several policies are set to capture attention. In his inaugural address, Trump proclaimed, "The golden age begins now," asserting that "America's decline is over." He claimed that a failed assassination attempt during his campaign was a divine sign for him to revive the nation.On January 19, Trump held a rally in downtown Washington, where he boldly stated his intention to overturn multiple Biden executive orders within "hours" of taking office. Recent updates confirm that Trump signed a series of executive orders during his inauguration, including the revocation of 78 Biden policies. As Trump embarks on his presidency, let’s explore the new policies that warrant close scrutiny.

A Push Against Diversity Initiatives?

One of Trump's forthcoming executive orders aims to redefine gender recognition in federal agencies, officially acknowledging only two genders: male and female. This move would dismantle what he deems "radical and wasteful" diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.For those following WST, you may be aware that even before Trump's return to office, Silicon Valley had already initiated a backlash against diversity initiatives. Recently, Meta announced the termination of its DEI programs, which encompass recruitment, training, and vendor selection processes. The company has also disbanded its DEI team and reassigned its head, Maxine Williams. In short, Meta has decisively moved away from DEI efforts. Amazon is also halting similar initiatives; their website has removed specific discussions regarding racial equality and LGBTQ+ rights from the "Our Position" section.For more details on this trend in Silicon Valley regarding the cancellation of diversity recruitment programs, please contact our team on WeChat by adding "WSTCareer".

The Fate of TikTok

The status of TikTok has become a significant issue during Trump's inauguration. Recently, TikTok's future in the U.S. has been tumultuous:

• On January 17, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that TikTok must be removed from app stores starting January 19.
• However, before the ban took effect, TikTok preemptively shut down its U.S. operations.
• Just 12 hours later, TikTok reappeared in U.S. app stores.

In a statement to users, TikTok attributed its swift return to President Trump's efforts. Following the ban announcement, any American company (including Apple and Google) was prohibited from providing services to TikTok under threat of hefty fines exceeding $850 billion. However, Trump assured these service providers that they would not face penalties for continuing their support of TikTok.Upon taking office, Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcement of the "sell or ban" law for 75 days. He previously indicated he would allow TikTok time to find an American partner to maintain its operations through a potential sale of 50% ownership.For now, it appears TikTok is temporarily safe; however, what happens after the 75-day period remains uncertain. Stay tuned to WST for timely updates on this evolving situation.

The Inauguration Celebration: A Gathering of Tech Titans

Trump's affection for TikTok is evident; CEO Shou Zi Chew attended his inauguration ceremony on January 20.Reports suggest that this inauguration could be one of the most expensive in U.S. history. Trump's inauguration committee has raised over $170 million and is expected to reach $200 million—significantly more than Biden's $60 million in 2020. According to OpenSecrets calculations, Trump's four-day inauguration festivities cost approximately $37,000 per minute. In addition to Shou Zi Chew, other tech giants present at Trump's inauguration included:

• Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
• Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Meta.
• Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.
• Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google.
• Tim Cook, CEO of Apple.

The combined market capitalization of these five companies exceeds $11 trillion, with Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos collectively holding over $900 billion in wealth.These billionaires are either major contributors to Trump's campaign or have cultivated favorable relationships with him post-election.The reason Trump's inauguration became a financial windfall lies in his advance notice that he would introduce significant economic policies upon taking office. Consequently, many American corporations have proactively contributed to his team to mend relations.Trump's inauguration committee even required donors to contribute at least $1 million for an opportunity to meet him—double the amount required in 2017.

Key Timeframes for International Students

While it's uncertain how Trump's presidency will specifically impact international students, it's crucial to pay attention to upcoming changes in job application timelines relevant to them.

Wall Street Investment Banks Accelerate Application Timelines!

According to WST Research Team tracking job application progress: as of January 17, all eight major investment banks have opened applications for summer internships in 2026 (VIP members should check our mini-program for daily updates on application links).Notably, Goldman Sachs typically opens summer internship applications later than other banks—historically around March—but this year opened applications at the beginning of January. The application window was significantly compressed: renowned Wall Street investment banking summer internship positions were available for only six days!Citi opened applications for summer internships on January 16 and 17 but only kept them open for 5-6 days! The official job description states that online applications close on January 22—tomorrow marks the first wave of application deadlines!To be frank, our WST team suspects there might be a glitch on Citi's website (we hope this is just an illusion). Therefore, the recruitment season for investment banking in 2026 may present a polarized scenario:Students who have been proactive about their career planning since their freshman year will be relatively well-prepared for these sudden changes.Conversely, those who have yet to begin their job preparations may find themselves at a disadvantage: by the time they are ready to submit their resumes, many offers may already have been extended by investment banks. In addition to the eight major investment banks, top boutique firms and several well-known middle-market banks have also opened applications early for summer internships in 2026.Currently is peak hiring season on Wall Street; don’t miss any opportunities for high-paying positions exceeding $100k! How can you prepare for summer internship interviews in 2026?

Resume Refinement: A Key Focus

Throughout the recruiting process, refining your resume should be a priority. Feedback from WST banking mentors indicates that many candidates continue revising their resumes just two days before interviews with bulge bracket investment banks.Before applying for internships at investment banks, ensure your resume meets basic requirements:

• One page
• No errors
• Pay attention to punctuation and spacing
• Use abbreviations and numbers effectively

If your resume contains errors or inconsistencies in this competitive job market, securing an interview will be nearly impossible. Therefore, review your resume thoroughly before interviews or seek assistance from your school's career center. Next, focus on polishing several key sections of your resume:

1. Education Generally speaking, if you attend a target school with a GPA above 3.5 in a relevant major (though other majors can also be considered), you should pass online applications without significant issues. Non-target students will need to invest more effort into networking.
2. Experience Prioritize internships in private equity or investment banking (apply widely for some sophomore programs). Each experience should highlight three or four key points—this is something WST banking mentors consistently emphasize.
3. Interests Create connections between yourself and interviewers by sharing genuine interests and hobbies; look for opportunities during interviews to showcase your well-rounded life outside academics.

Additionally, you can start scheduling mock interviews now with alumni who have successfully landed positions at investment banks or with banking mentors.Stay tuned for more insights as we navigate this dynamic landscape together!

To start your Wall Street recruiting, please contact our team on WeChat by adding "WSTCareer".

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