Tale of an internship: Michelle Ciesielska at the New York Fed

Accounting , Areas of Study , Business Economics , Personal & Professional Development , Stories Students | Dec 06, 2012 | Nicole Gesualdo

by Elizabeth Anderson (FCRH ’13)

The success Michelle Ciesielska (GSB ’14) has had with internships yields an important lesson for younger Gabelli School of Business students:

Don’t wait.

There’s no need to sit back until junior year to find an internship. Get out there early. This strategy allowed Michelle to hold two internships, one last summer and one this semester, at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

After attending four different Fordham Career Services workshops as a sophomore, Michelle found herself feeling fully prepared already for a summer internship. She applied for the New York Fed’s Undergraduate Summer Analyst Program and, after a grueling interview process, was selected for its markets group. It was her knowledge of the Federal Reserve and her strong background in data analysis, accounting policies and operational risk that set her apart from the other candidates and brought about an offer two weeks after her interview.

A public accounting major with a minor in business economics, Michelle commented that while it might seem daunting to internship-hunt as a sophomore, recruiters “don’t expect you to know everything” and that leadership experience, extracurriculars or volunteer work can go a long way in getting your résumé noticed. Simply showing that you’re genuinely interested can help you stand out, Michelle said.

Among the greatest advantages of attending Fordham are, due to its New York City location, the incredible internship opportunities that are offered. Michelle looks back at hers as a thoroughly rewarding experience. She said her New York Fed team allowed her to grow and learn.

“The associates welcomed my questions and designated time during the day to explain difficult tasks,” she said. “I felt like I did meaningful work during my internship.”

The experience also offered important networking opportunities. The 35 undergraduate interns were invited each week to meet with officers and vice presidents from various groups and to learn about responsibilities of different associates across the bank.

Michelle is, unsurprisingly, seeking an internship for this upcoming summer. She hopes eventually to obtain her MBA at Fordham’s Graduate School of Business Administration and to sit for the CPA exam.

For help in finding an internship of your own, drop a line to a member of the Gabelli School’s Personal and Professional Development Center staff!