In this “Internship Experience” blog post series, we will be featuring the profile and thoughts of our students from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management as they return from summer internships.
Name: Ryan Klinger
Graduation Year: 2021
Majors: Real Estate / Finance
Hometown: New Albany, OH
Intern Company/Title: Moody’s – Ratings and Research Support Intern
Describe your position and some of your daily tasks?
I interned for Moody’s Investors Service in a ratings and research support role. The internship was virtual for five weeks. It was an intensive rotational program that was taught by trainers in each sector and analysts.
In the first week, we learned about Moody’s and the credit ratings process. The weeks that followed, we learned about corporate, public, financial and structured finance. Throughout this experience, I was paired with the power and utility team and three mentors, who I met with weekly. The internship allowed me to network within the firm and learn more about the daily tasks and career progression within the firm. Also, human resources orchestrated speaker series throughout the week, where management spoke with the intern class and we were able to ask questions and make connections.
Also, we took an accounting training course through Moody’s Analytics and then were assessed on our accounting knowledge through a case study. We were taught financial modeling and had an assessment that followed. Finally, I was paired with two other interns, and we presented to management about our analysis of the department store sector, along with a written sector in-depth about this sector.
How did you land your internship?
I landed this internship through networking with Syracuse alumni. I attended the Whitman on Wall Street event during my sophomore year, where I met a recruiter there, who then connected me with other individuals within the firm.
What did you learn from your internship experience?
The most important thing I took away from my internship is to have an open mind. Every sector I learned about is interesting. There is nothing wrong with stepping outside your comfort zone and pursuing a career in an area that you are not as familiar with. I also learned the importance of listening. It is extremely valuable to hear other people’s opinions and learn from them.
Furthermore, I learned about the types of tasks I would be doing as a full-time associate analyst. I was able to network and learn more about the position by talking with analysts in different sectors. I am grateful for all the support throughout the internship because I would not have had this wonderful experience without them!
Has your experience changed your plans or career choice when you leave college?
I am more confident that I want to pursue a career in the financial services industry. I love the complexity and variability that happens day-to-day when working in finance.
How will your internship experience help you after graduation?
The skills I learned from this internship helped me gain a better foundation for the different industries in finance. Moreover, the accounting training and financial modeling I learned are paramount to become an analyst in credit analysis.
How has the Whitman School prepared you for your internship?
The Whitman School has done a great job preparing me. All the core classes set a foundation for a career in business, along with the major electives that honed my interests. The small class sizes allowed me to ask great questions and collaborate with my classmates. Moreover, the numerous group projects we have to complete will pay off after I graduate, considering working on teams is a valuable skill everyone needs to have.
What did you enjoy most about your experience?
I enjoyed meeting all the other interns. There were 20 interns in ratings and research support, and 19 schools represented. The diversity was great and participation amongst all the interns was incredible. When I learned the internship was online, I didn’t realize it would still be conducted professionally. I am blown away by the experience I had online.
Do you have any advice to students who are looking for an internship?
The biggest key to landing an internship is networking. Reaching out to alumni and connecting with others is key. Having conversations with professionals will help you discover what industry you want to work in and allow you to introduce yourself. Finally, take accounting seriously; it is one of the most important aspects of business you can leave college with.
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