#fidtern

Name: Mike 

School/Class Year: Class of 2019, Syracuse University 

Site and Dates of Fidelity Internship: Summer, 2018, Smithfield, RI 

Business Unit: Personal Investing – Retail Credit and Debit Product Intern 

Why did you choose Fidelity? Fidelity is a premier financial services company. I knew I would be getting a top-notch internship and would be exposed to the vast set of resources which Fidelity offers not only its customers, but its employees. 

What surprised you the most about Fidelity as a company? I was surprised by how dedicated Fidelity was to putting the customer first. No matter how far your personal work was from the customer, it was always central in our minds and our overall goals. I was also surprised by simply how much Fidelity does as a company. 

What did you learn during your internship with us? I learned a vast amount of information related to the credit space and the payments industry, in addition to learning more about what Fidelity does as a company. It is such a large company, and I am still learning. I learned more about what work I could do with Fidelity in a full-time position as well as learned a lot about their new agile organizational model, which allows them to operate with much more efficiency. 

What was your favorite part of your Fidelity experience? My favorite part of my Fidelity experience was my opportunity to work with other interns in a summer long project that will hopefully provide valuable information and deliverables for multiple business units within Fidelity. 

By Sophie Irby, Human Resources Intern 

Before starting my Summer 2020 internship at Fidelity, I had a list of all the things I was looking forward to: making connections in the office, in-person lunch-and-learns, walking the trails around the campus, getting a feel of the corporate workplace and so much more. With the Covid-19 pandemic, my list of goals was suddenly in jeopardy as my internship was moved to being 100% remote. 

At first, I was saddened to hear the news about working remotely for the summer. I knew that my summer was not going to be what I anticipated, but I was ready to face this challenge head-on and make the most of my experience. This is such a unique time for everyone, and the fact that Fidelity managed to continue with their internship program for nearly 1,000 interns is a testament to the outstanding culture and employees of the firm. Keep reading to get my three tips on how to make the most of a virtual summer internship.

Show up to “the office”: Even though we aren’t technically going into the office, it is still important to show up to “work” every day ready to go. Step one is changing out of your pajamas; it is nearly impossible to focus while wearing what you sleep in. When it comes to creating a workspace at home, it is so important to set up in a spot that you know you will be able to focus. Whether you are using a small coffee table, a kitchen counter, or a DIY standing desk, make sure that every day you bring your best self to work. Being at home, I know how tempting it is to want to lay in bed or lounge in the sun, but setting up a workspace with minimal distractions has helped me immensely throughout this summer. Make sure there is good lighting to keep productivity levels up, and room for you to walk around and stretch once in a while. 

Stay open-minded: This was my first corporate internship, and to be completely honest, I had no idea what to expect. My nerves really started to kick in a few days prior to my start date, especially since this was a newly crafted virtual experience. Staying open-minded and taking every opportunity that I can has helped me get through this unique time. One phrase I heard multiple times during my first week as an intern was “get comfortable being uncomfortable”. I have taken that quote with me every day and still use it to my advantage. Since we aren’t having in-person interactions with associates at the office, it is so important to take every opportunity that you can get and just say “yes”.