STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Kaylee Nunez '24 and Angela Olivo '24 sat down with us to reflect on their experiences interning with BlackRock this summer.

How did you hear about the internship?

Kaylee: While I was doing a resume review with Ms. Mazzo (a Cathedral High School volunteer with extensive corporate business experience), I asked about business internships or programs I could participate in. She then referred me to the BlackRock internship, and I began the application process. 

Angela: I learned about the internship opportunity through Ms. Mazzo, who formerly served as the head of the Business Organization and Management department at Cathedral High School. Her recommendation and insights into the internship motivated me to apply.

How did you prepare for it?

Kaylee: I prepared for it by enriching my knowledge on basic finance principles prior to beginning the internship. I also familiarized myself with common vocabulary, like stocks, bonds, yields, etc. 

Angela: In preparation for the internship, I took the initiative to educate myself on the fundamentals of finance. I believed that preparing myself with the basics would provide me with a better understanding of what would be expected of me during the internship.

What were your days like this summer?

Kaylee: I started my day off going to Hudson Yards for my BlackRock Internship. I always made sure my outfits were on point and that my appearance exhibited my personality well. I wanted my supervisors to remember me and my hard work. My goal was to not get lost within the group of interns alongside me. I was a part of the USWA (United States Wealth Advisory) portfolio building team. The moment I walked into the building by 9am, I went straight to work. I would regularly submit my daily market update to my team, organize my schedule, set and request meetings, and sometimes meet with people for coffee and chats. Throughout each day, I attended meetings with my team, networked, took notes for my team, and debriefed them about key topics within our large meetings.

Angela: My summer days were truly a mixture of new experiences and learning opportunities. Each day brought unique challenges and projects that allowed me to gain valuable insights into the world of finance and the intricacies of the L&C department at BlackRock.

What did you learn?

Kaylee: I am super thankful for all the knowledge I gained every day walking out of the building. I not only learned how to manage other people's finances, but also my own. I learned how the resume review process works within the admission side of applications and the essential skills to later work in such a powerful financial company. I learned how to network and make conversation and how to advocate for myself in a room filled with people. Overall, I learned essential lessons that molded me to be the person who I am today.

Angela: During my internship, I had the privilege of learning about the legal and compliance process within BlackRock. I worked along multiple teams including the 40 Act Team, Advisory, Broker Dealers, and Financial Crime which allowed me to learn a little about each team. I learned how to review policies and procedures and how to make necessary adjustments to enhance compliance. My experience within Broker Dealers provided me with a deep understanding of FINRA regulations and various section tests. Additionally, I acquired the skill of disclosing and updating Outside Business Activities for BlackRock employees.

Did the internship inspire you to pursue the study of finance in college?

Kaylee: I walked in wanting to be an international business lawyer and walked out wanting to be an international business lawyer, with a focus on data analytics. The internship only solidified my dreams of working in a huge corporate environment! It reminded me that all my hard work will pay off, and one day I'll be sitting where the VPs are, and hopefully in the seat of a CIO, COO, CFO, or CEO. 

Angela: While my primary interest remains in Criminal Law, I must admit that the internship sparked my curiosity and interest in the field of finance. Witnessing the impact and importance of finance in the business world and how law ties into the whole process, left a lasting impression on me.

If you would like to offer internship opportunities for Cathedral students at your organization, please reach out to Maréa Hurson, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, at mhurson@cathedralhs.org or 914-419-8955.