Summer Internships Across the Globe
Interning for companies like Goldman Sachs and Beachwaver Co., students dove into the corporate world this summer and reminisced on their time gaining “real-world” experiences. Whether they were in New York City or on an island in the Caribbean, media studies and applied mathematics majors alike took this summer to build up their resumes and discover their passions —with some even being offered full-time positions.
Business major Isabella Pariente ‘23 found her internship with the help of the social media algorithm. What started as viral hair tutorials led to an ambassador program with Beachwaver Co., a hair product company, and ultimately a marketing internship. Working from home, Pariente created content for Beachwaver Co.’s Youtube series and sourced for potential collaborations.
Isabella Pariente '23 creating social media content for Beachwaver Co. Source: Isabella Pariente '23
“It honestly is a perfect situation for me considering I produce content and work on social media,” said Pariente. “Having the flexibility of working from home allows me to be creative and come up with new ideas in my own space.”
While Pariente worked remotely for her internship, Michelle Noeldechen ‘23, a Spanish and education major, hopped on a plane and traveled to Grenada for hers.
“Working at a school in a developing country has given me a brand new perspective on what education is like outside of America. At Marist, we are taking classes that are tailored mostly for traditional American classrooms and are widely focused on the use of technology in the classroom. However, being here has shown me that while technology is a privilege to have in the classroom, it’s not always a necessity,” said Noeldechen, who spent a month this summer interning at the Island Montessori School.
Performing observations, assisted teaching and one-on-one work with children aged 3-12, she was bouncing from classroom to classroom, each day bringing a new learning experience. With some students from Spain and Venezuela, Noeldechen found it extremely rewarding to utilize her Spanish and connect with some of the students and their parents. Whether she becomes a Spanish teacher or teaches English in a Spanish speaking country, she hopes to unify her majors. “Being a teacher is hard work, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Sidney Papas ‘23, an applied mathematics major, discovered an appreciation for time alone while she commuted to New York City on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) for her 9-week internship with Goldman Sachs, an investment banking company, as a summer analyst. “It’s nerve-wracking to enter a finance role with a predominantly STEM background, but I think one of the greatest things about Goldman is the diversity in educational background of its employees,” said Papas.
Sidney Papas '23 outside her office at Goldman Sachs in New York City. Source: Sidney Papas '23
Having participated in Goldman Sachs’ Beyond the Classroom Program in April 2021, she quickly sought out further opportunities with the company. Her time spent in the Corporate Treasury division managing the firm's funding, liquidity, balance sheets and capital position led her to a full-time position offer as an analyst starting summer 2023.
Planes and trains can take you to all sorts of places, but Christina Georgiou ‘24 found herself back on the Marist campus. As a member of the Tarver Internship Program, Georgiou spent her summer with Poughkeepsie’s nonprofit organization The Art Effect creating film and photography projects. “It has helped solidify my passion for video production and has exposed me to all of the jobs available in the world of video production,” said Georgiou. As a media studies major, she wants others studying the same to know that there is a wide range of opportunities available and to be open to trying as many as possible.
These students offered their words of wisdom and encouragement for others thinking about an internship because they understand the pressure of searching for the perfect job and the anxiety that comes with interviews. “Be confident with what you do know, and be curious about what you don’t. You might not know how to answer all of the questions you get asked and that’s okay. We are all constantly learning individuals and internships are big learning experiences,” said Papas.
Pariente emphasized the value of growing your own social media and putting yourself out there. “The worst thing that anyone can say is a ‘no’ and rejection is redirection.” Noeldechen highlighted boldness and bravery. “My advice, as someone who is a homebody, would be that even if something intimidates you, go for it. It’s important to become comfortable with doing the things that make you uncomfortable.”
No matter what field of study, internships can take you places you’ve never been before and provide valuable hands-on knowledge. Applying for internships can be a scary and intimidating task, but getting over that initial hurdle brings great experiences.