Recent updates to the curriculum and established relationships with local businesses have boosted the business the success of business students at Saint Peter’s University. As a result of efforts to grow the undergraduate program in the School of Business, several students have landed exciting internships. The six students featured here are demonstrating that they have what it takes to succeed in the competitive business world and are a small sampling of the entrepreneurship spirit Saint Peter’s encourages.
Anica Bustamante ’18
Special Events Department | Viacom, NYC
Major: Marketing Management
Hometown: Metuchen, NJ
Describe a project you have worked on at your internship.
One of my favorite projects was working New York Comic Con. This was a huge four-day event, which featured two of Viacom’s most popular channels, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. It was such a great experience to be at the convention and I was able to have back-stage access and meet talent from the shows.
What advice do you have for current students?
To apply for an internship at a company that you love. I grew up watching Nickelodeon and MTV and to be able to work for such an amazing company that brings to life some of my favorite shows has been the most incredible experience.
Describe a mentor and what he or she has taught you.
The members of the Office of Alumni Engagement (Gloria Mercurio, executive director of alumni engagement; Claudia Pope-Bayne, associate director of alumni engagement; and Karen Hackett, senior alumni engagement officer) were the first and best mentors I could have asked for when I arrived at Saint Peter’s. During my first week of college, Karen hired me to be the work-study student for their department. What started as a job became the foundation for my career in event planning and I will be forever grateful for their guidance and the opportunities they afforded me since my freshman year.
Yoel Reina ’18
Financial Services Intern | KPMG LLP, Short Hills, NJ
Major: Accounting Minor: Business Law
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
What is the best part of your internship?
The team environment at KPMG allows all its interns to ask questions freely and I am able to see the application of all the accounting content I have learned at Saint Peter’s University in a real-world environment being used on a daily basis.
What is unique about your internship?
The most unique aspect of KPMG is that it isn’t just an accounting firm, but it views itself as a large family that encourages its employees to network with one another and always stay in touch. KPMG harnesses the desire of on-going growth and continuing education for all its employees, which is great for any incoming intern.
What motivates you?
Finding an answer to a difficult question/scenario. I love competition and find nothing more rewarding than to figure out a solution to a difficult situation. Always ask questions and do not be scared to tackle tasks.
Mary Mercado ’19
Operations Intern | Boston Consulting Group, Summit, NJ
Major: Marketing Management in the accelerated M.B.A. program; 2016 fellow in the America Needs You (ANY) program
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
What is unique about your internship?
The best part of my internship is that it is yearlong, which will give me the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the organization. In addition, it is a rotational internship. I will be in five different departments throughout the year. The departments are recruiting, operations/events, learning and development, finance and lastly, human resources.
What motivates you?
My three adult children motivate me to be the best I can be. Professionally and personally, it is important to learn something new. I tell them every day that when you invest in yourself you get the best return on investment.
Describe a mentor and what he/she has taught you.
My America Needs You mentor is a vice president of marketing; her name is Angela. One of the most important things she has taught me is to meet as many people as I can and let them know what my goals are by practicing my elevator pitch. Being authentic and genuine is something you need to project when meeting people at networking events and with your professors.
Nicholas Brown ’18
Lead Contributor/Social Media Manager | MinuteMedia/12up Sports, NYC
Major: Business Management Minor: Sports Management
Hometown: Sewell, NJ
What is the best part of your internship?
The best part of my internship was being able to take my passion for sports and turn it into a job. The atmosphere was always fun and laid back, with sports debates constantly taking center stage. It was like I was getting paid to just relax with friends and write and talk about sports. Perks like getting to cover NBA games and interview the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are certainly a plus. How many other people can say they’re a credentialed member of the NBA media before graduating?
What have you learned at your internship?
In two and a half years at MinuteMedia, I have learned the ins and outs of the media and sports industry. Whether it is in social media, learning how to get ahead of the trends and maximize engagement for your target audience; or in writing and editing, learning how to create more enticing headlines and perfect my writing style.
What advice do you have for current students?
For current students my advice would be to just get out into the world and don’t be afraid to try something new. There may be a position in a field that you don’t necessarily see as a career but sometimes those positions teach you the most about the industry and can open your eyes to a whole new market.
Gianna Fusaro ’20
Client Associate | Merrill Lynch, Paramus, NJ
Major: Accounting Minor: Business Law
Hometown: North Haledon, NJ
What factors or resources helped you obtain your internship?
I obtained this internship through networking. After speaking with someone who worked in the Merrill Lynch office, I was encouraged to apply for the job. Networking is very important because you never know when you will make the right connection with someone at the right time.
What advice do you have for current students?
My advice to current students is to get your name out there in the business world. Also, while attending school, gain all the experience you can. I feel it is very beneficial to get real world experience while attending school because you are able to apply the knowledge you learn in class, to a real life task. Working while you’re in college also helps you to figure out what you like and dislike as a profession and can potentially help you figure out what the best career is for you.
What motivates you?
My motivation during my internship is to gain real world experience so that I can prepare myself for future job opportunities.
Samuel Marcillo-Gomez ’19
Information Security Officer | Federal Reserve Bank of New York, online
Major: Cyber Security
Hometown: Verona, NJ
What is the best part of your internship?
I get to work with people in my field of study. Once a week I meet with mentors that currently work in IT in the financial sector and they give us constructive criticism on our projects.
Describe a project you have worked on at your internship.
I am currently working with my team on my final project where we have developed a response plan, following the NIST framework for a cyber fraud case.
What advice do you have for current students?
Use the resources the school has. Speak with your advisers for any opportunities.