This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2021 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here.
This entry is by Charlene Canning, WH ’23
“The great, proud city, seized with a strange love / Bowed down for one flame hour my pride to prove.”
Excerpt from The City’s Love by Claude McKay
So far in life, there have been a few moments in which I felt limitless. The feeling is fleeting but the memory lasts forever. It always occurs right before some new adventure or great feat and it was the highlight of my first night in New York. I met up with other interns and found myself gazing out into the skyline, seemingly miles above the ground.
The two months that followed contained similar waves of anticipation and accomplishment. I spent the summer as a Corporate Bank Coverage intern at Deutsche Bank. The generosity of Career Services allowed me to gain valuable insight into a career in banking. My days on Wall Street were spent networking with professionals, learning technical skills, and developing ideas into tangible products. The most exciting project I worked on involved imagining the evolution of a new subindustry. I was rotating through the Industrials group at the time and spoke with over 30 bankers, ranging from analysts to Michaela Ludbrook, the Regional Head of the Americas. My research also consisted of sifting through white papers and market performances of companies in similar subindustries. I went above and beyond because I was personally invested in increasing the likelihood that Deutsche Bank and its clients explore this new market. My hard work paid off in the form of a recommendation from my managing director to have me speak with the global head of Deutsche Bank’s ESG efforts. I am more confident in my ability to make market projections and navigate valuable client relationships. None of this would have been possible without the support of Penn Career Services.
In addition to communication and presentation skills, I also strengthened my understanding of financial products. My role as a Coverage intern meant that I interacted with people from all the different product groups. I learned about trusted staples offered to many clients and creative processes that resulted in bespoke solutions. Many conversations covered products and strategies yet to be unveiled. Deutsche Bank’s culture is one of creativity and ingenuity. I was excited and grateful for the intellect and experience of my team members. Analysts walked me through complex financial statements, associates communicated specific elements of value-add in multinational projects, and vice presidents patiently walked me through the details of their current deals. Perhaps the most influential people in my rotations were my mentor, Cheyanne Robinson, and my managing directors Brian Ballinger and and I witnessed elements of decision-making and thoughtful leadership unfold every single day. I will use the skills and knowledge I gained to continue searching for professional and intellectual fulfillment. I hope to one day possess the brilliant qualities I saw in my coworkers while managing a multinational law firm, leading a company worth billions of dollars, or some other exciting occupation. I hope to experience many more thrilling moments.
Outside of work, I explored Brooklyn and Manhattan. The nightlife scene was as exhilarating as it was exhausting. Central Park was more serene than I imagined it would be. There are family-owned businesses in Chinatown and along Flatbush Avenue that I will forever recommend to my friends that find themselves in the city. I was fortunate to acquire new confidants whose wholly delightful personalities enriched my own perspective. Those ten weeks gave me experiences I will never forget.
In short, this summer was wonderful. My future is limitless.
