Carson Wang, WH ’27, Richmond, VA
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at United Western Group, a middle-market private equity firm based in DC that targets various sectors, including consumer, healthcare, and industrials. Throughout this immersive experience, I was able to take a deep dive into many industries and the fast-paced world of private equity.
I pursued this internship with the goal of advancing my interest in investing. As a result, I was incredibly excited that the team at United Western Group provided me with countless opportunities to take an active role in various projects. I attended think tank events to speak with policy experts and participated in discussions with business leaders in related sectors. Through roundtable discussions with the firm to debrief on meetings with sellers, accountants, and investment bankers, I also developed a stronger understanding of how professionals incorporate numerous factors—sellers’ emotions, macroeconomic events, and updated financial reports—into their decision-making. These experiences provided me with a comprehensive view of the private equity deal process, from initial research and due diligence to final negotiations.
A significant part of my role involved not just understanding the deal-making process but also communicating complex information. While my final products’ objectives were clearly defined, I had autonomy regarding the path I took. This allowed me to reinforce my critical thinking skills and creativity as I navigated financial reports and operational data. Most importantly, my time at United Western tested my ability to present my findings in a clear and compelling way to both the professionals within my firm and investors. This skill in translating complex data into actionable insights has been one of the most valuable takeaways from this summer.
Overall, my internship at United Western has deepened my knowledge of the private equity space and solidified my interest in pursuing a career in this field. The skills I’ve developed—ranging from data analysis to professional communication—will be invaluable as I continue my undergraduate studies and embark on my future career. I am profoundly grateful to Penn Career Services for their support in making this experience possible. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned in the years to come.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2024 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
