In Their Own Words
What did you gain from the internship that you could not learn in the classroom?
As a PhD student in mathematics, much of my academic training focuses on solving abstract theoretical problems, which is excellent for developing analytical thinking. However, working in a company exposed me to a faster pace, continuous collaboration, and learning while projects were actively progressing. I had to adapt to a more iterative workflow rather than spending long periods studying independently before producing results. This practical, real-time problem-solving experience is something classroom learning rarely replicates. That adjustment was one of the most valuable aspects of the internship for me.
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Why do you think doing an internship before graduating is important?
I believe internships are extremely important because they help align your resume with the professional path you want to follow after graduation. They allow you to gain relevant experience, develop targeted skills, and demonstrate commitment to a specific field while working on real projects. Internships are also one of the most effective ways to secure a job, since they give you time to show your value and how you can contribute in practice. Beyond resume building, they provide a realistic view of day-to-day work, helping you decide whether a particular industry, company culture, or role is truly a good fit.
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What advice would you give to students who are unsure about doing an internship?
I would strongly encourage students to pursue an internship if they have the opportunity, as it can be extremely valuable both professionally and personally. It is important, however, to approach the process thoughtfully and make this decision early in your program so you have time to prepare. Preparation and planning are key, especially by researching the industry, understanding the skills expected, and learning what the interview process typically involves. Starting well in advance is usually best, since building the right skills and profile takes time and is harder to accomplish in the final year alone.
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Did the internship help you build professional connections or networks?
Yes, it was a great way to connect with professionals working directly in the field and build strong professional relationships. These connections can be very helpful later, whether through job opportunities, recommendations, or continued collaboration. Many of the people you meet have gone through the same transition from graduation to the job market and can offer valuable perspective. If you do your best during the internship, you often build relationships with people who are willing to support you when you start pursuing full-time positions.
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How valuable was this internship to our overall education?
I found the internship extremely valuable because it exposed me to insights that are difficult to fully grasp in an academic setting, especially those that come from working directly with professionals and seeing how problems are handled in practice. It helped bridge the gap between theoretical training and real-world application. More importantly, it strengthened my confidence in the skills I developed through years of studying mathematics. It showed me that this background can translate into meaningful contributions in an industry environment.
Highlights from Internship
During 2025, Leonardo Schultz completed an internship with US Bank. He was assigned a research project focused on investigating anomalous behavior arising in one of the bank’s in-development modeling frameworks. Drawing on his strong mathematical background, Leonardo collaborated closely with his team to redesign key components of the model and to identify inconsistencies between the model’s observed behavior and its underlying assumptions. He ultimately proposed and presented a re-engineered framework, using partial differential equations as the core analytical tool, which successfully addressed these issues. In recognition of his contributions, Leonardo has been offered a quantitative model analyst full-time position from the US Bank contingent upon the completion of his Ph.D.
