In July 2014, I will start as a full-time analyst in the Human Capital Management (HCM) division at Goldman Sachs. How did I get here?
It all started when I was a freshman at Baruch College. My SEEK* counselor introduced me to resources that would prepare me for interviews and, ultimately, an internship in the financial services industry. Later, as a sophomore, I interviewed with Goldman Sachs and received an offer to join the 2012 Summer Analyst Program in HCM. The feeling was indescribable. That summer I worked on a Divisional Business Partner team, which is an HCM team that works closely with divisional leadership to address ongoing and strategic business issues. At the end of that summer, I was extended an offer to return to the team for the 2013 Summer Analyst Program. Both summer experiences helped me with my transition from a student to a professional and led to a full-time job starting the July after graduation [July 2014].
People often ask, “What are the top three things you learned during your internships?” It’s difficult to narrow down all that have learned to just a few points, but the top abilities were task management, problem solving, and relationship building. Those skills were indispensable and helped me successfully execute projects and network with professionals across the firm.
I am humbled by all of the valuable experiences I have been afforded, including my first job at the age of 14 as a part-time bookshelf organizer at the Brooklyn Public Library. That early on, I knew very little about job demands. Let’s just say that I learned quickly. My job responsibilities were, but not limited to, organizing books on bookshelves and creating thematic book displays, helping patrons find library materials, and partnering with librarians to offer special programs to our visitors. After working at the library for two-plus years, I felt as though I’d mastered the art of hard work and grit.
All things considered, my first job at the library through to my internship experiences have provided me with the tools necessary to build a career as a full-time professional. Now, here I am, ready and eager to write a new chapter, post-graduation, in the journal entitled, “College Graduate.”
*SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) is a CUNY-wide higher education opportunity program designed to assist high-potential, low-income students who otherwise might not be able to pursue a college degree.
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