Name: Amy Wang

Year: Sophomore

Majors: Industrial Engineering, MMSS

CFS Program: Business Field Studies

Employer: SpringTide Partners

I’m interning at SpringTide Partners, an independent research shop with asset management services. Even thought it’s based in Chicago, its clients are all over the States. The internship itself has given me the chance to have great exposure towards the buyside industry while the CFS classes make me to reflect on what I noticed during the internship.

From my perspective, CFS program gives me a very flexible option for having an internship, which prepares me for the next year recruitment. By having feedback from professor and peers who take the class same time, I’m able to gradually improve in the workplace. It is rewarding as most asset management firms only take graduates who passed CFA exams while CFS program allows me to be on the same page. My future career seems more clear to me now as I’m looking for a more fast-paced scenario than what I’m doing right now while I can continue to learn about the market.

It’s also really interesting to keep a work/life balance with the course load. By marking specific deadlines and informing my managers of certain field trip dates, I’m able to communicate more efficient within the firm as well as in class. Sometimes readings are a little bit much compared to other weeks and sometimes presentations need to be prepared throughout the week. Therefore, during the ten-week span, I’m able to learn the skill of time management better and not delay any more. Overall, I would encourage people who want to have an internship to take this CFS class as it’s a good reflection towards the internship itself. The orientation as well as internship search process also give you a better idea of what real-life scenario would be.