Name: Joseph

Year: Sophomore

Major(s): Industrial Engineering, Economics

CFS Program: Field Studies in Business

Going into my internship, I expected to be at the bottom of the totem pole without being given that much responsibility. By the second week, it quickly became apparent that interns at my workplace are highly valued and have the opportunities to contribute to the success of the firm even at the junior level. I’ve been sourcing deals for the firm, conducting industry analysis on niche sectors, and I’ve even had the chance to sit in on calls with brokers about prospective companies to acquire.

Being entrusted with this level of responsibility definitely helped me realize that I want to join a work culture that’s based on meritocracy. That is, I want to be rewarded based on my performance and how well I do my job, regardless of my status within the firm. At the same time, there is a very laid-back environment at work, where people are playing ping-pong between assignments and bringing in their dogs. I originally thought that I didn’t care for this kind of environment, but working long hours each day made me realize that it is important to not get so caught up in work and to find time to relax, even if that is in the office.

Overall, CFS has been an amazing opportunity for me to better understand what I want out of a career and to strongly consider work culture before choosing a job.