Dylan Turkenkopf interned with Senvest Management LLC and supported research, data analysis, and a stock research presentation.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
Throughout my experience I engaged in a lot of research on the background of an assigned stock. I also learned how to create models that show the company's balance sheets and analyze 10-Ks (a comprehensive annual report of a company’s performance) and quarterly data to maximize my final decisions on the stock. At the end of the internship, I led a big presentation to the whole firm with a partner explaining our thoughts on the given stock explaining the details of our research findings.
What is unique about your situation that influenced your internship selection or experience?
Coming into the internship I really did not have much background knowledge of investing and looking at stocks. While starting the internship, I pushed myself to do the extra work and learn the topics that I was not really that familiar with on my own time and through working sessions during the first two weeks. I learned that part of work is always learning, and even if I didn’t have 100% knowledge on every topic, I had more information then I started with.
What new knowledge and (transferable) skills did you practice, learn, or develop in this internship?
One skill I learned was adaptability. In some situations when new financial information is released, me and my partner decided to change our opinion on the stock due given the updated data. Also, I practiced my skills with public speaking by giving a presentation to the whole firm. It was the most amount of people in a room I've ever presented to and it gave me the chance to practice strategies to overcome my nerves. Working in an office helped me improve my Microsoft Excel skills too, practicing more and learning new formulas helped make my work more organized and efficient.
How did your Applied Humanities major coursework help prepare you for the internship experience?
Taking the Pre-Internship class (PAH 383) right before the internship was great timing because it covered a lot of information to prepare me for my internship. The instructors taught me many practical things that I used in the internship such as how to present myself to employers or the best strategies to use in an interview and many more. I recommend taking this class right before the internship so everything is fresh in your head and you're prepared going into the experience.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
My favorite part of the internship was getting feedback on my project from higher-ups and current junior analysts in the company. I really enjoyed hearing their opinions and what details and feedback they had about my presentation to make it better. Also, being given new prompts on new topics to research really helped me learn more and dig deeper into the company. Even though the financial industry can feel strict because of the attention to detail and high stakes, it was something I needed and I learned that sometimes you need to be pushed for you to be the best you can in the industry.
What did you find most challenging about your internship?
The thing I found most challenging was in the first week when I was still learning all the rules and office procedures, so much so that I began to question myself after each decision because I was worried I might make a mistake. Overcoming that nervousness was the most challenging part, especially with trying something new. After I was there for a little bit the nerves slowly eased but that was definitely the most challenging part. For my upcoming jobs, I hope to get rid of my nerves sooner than later so I can feel comfortable in the workplace and be able to be my best self.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
The internship definitely opened my eyes up to what life is like in the workplace and what life after college is like. It gave me the opportunity to try new things without the stress of a full-time job and confirmed this was something that interested me and would want to do in the future. It also made me want to do another internship in a different field to continue to challenge myself and see what else I am interested in.