A Walk on the Bright Side

James Demakos '19 at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

James Demakos ’19, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Major:

International business & management.

Internship title:

Financial advisor intern.

How I got this internship:

I conducted research on jobs in the financial field and applied for an internship with Bank of America, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, through its human resource department.

What I do, day to day:

Assist financial advisors by researching and analyzing various securities, sit in on meetings and work with a team of interns on a detailed case study.

Most valuable part of this experience:

This internship has given me a great look into the financial services industry. I’ve had endless networking opportunities with financial advisors, and I have been able to attend weekly lectures.

Advice for students considering internships:

Even if you still haven't decided what type of job you want after graduation, internship and mentoring opportunities are all good because they can help you learn which career paths are and aren't for you. Also, having a positive attitude at all times is important; this is an attribute that will take you far.

How this internship has helped me:

This internship has taught me the value of networking opportunities, and I will take advantage of upcoming events at Dickinson that put me in touch with business professionals. I also honed my leadership skills while working with my colleagues on a detailed case study, and I’ve learned a lot about personal finance from my client finance analysis.

Post-Dickinson plans:

I hope to combine my international business & management education and my leadership skills to build a fulfilling career in the business world. I am interested in entrepreneurship, management and finance, and opportunities such as internships and networking will help me identify the perfect career.

Learn more:

Published July 29, 2016