Name: Olapeju Otusajo
Pronouns: She/Her
Semester of Internship: Summer 2023
Major: Information Systems
Current Class Level: Junior
This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Location of the Organization (City, State): Columbus, Ohio
Title of position: AI & Data Science Fellow
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
Last summer, I worked as an AI & Data Science fellow at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. The program was created for sophomore students interested in getting acclimated to the corporate world of financial services. I spent six weeks in J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.’s Columbus, Ohio office from late May to early August. During the first three weeks of the program, we were able to hear from a series of guest speakers, including CEO Jamie Dimon, who shared their insights on topics like imposter syndrome, having a growth mindset, and the importance of networking. I had the opportunity to receive advice from industry professionals who had once been in my shoes and to learn how to make the most of any opportunity I faced. Additionally, we acquired valuable technical skills to prepare us for our function-specific tasks, such as Excel, Python, and SQL.
I had the chance to strengthen my User Experience design skills during this time as well. We were given the task of creating a business proposal that would help boost efficiency for one of J.P. Morgan Chase’s minority depository institutions (MDIs). Alongside 3 other interns, I assisted in the creation of a 20-slide presentation that included UX wireframes and visual media, which we later presented to the MDI representatives. We received very positive feedback from the panel and interest in the possible implementation of our AI virtual assistant product.
During the next three weeks of the program, we were split into our business functions. Another AI & Data Science intern and I were placed under the direction of a product management team that created an internal data retrieval algorithm, enabling bankers and other JPMC personnel to pull client information more quickly and efficiently. I participated in meetings and assisted my manager with the necessary research for the product. Additionally, I experimented with data visualization models to demonstrate the progress of the product to stakeholders. My internship concluded with a final group project with 3 other interns, where we used Python and SQL to complete a case study showcasing what we had learned over the summer.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I learned about this opportunity while searching through Handshake for internship opportunities. I had been checking in every few days to find new listings and updates for companies that interested me. In late January of 2023, I received an invitation to an exclusive virtual event by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. entitled, "Advancing Black Pathways / Advancing Hispanics & Latinos Fellowships Info Sessions." I was unfamiliar with this program at the time, so I found it beneficial to attend and learn more. I was able to hear from J.P. Morgan professionals and individuals who have completed the program. The Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) program aligned with my career interests and seemed like a great way to gain industry experience. After attending the session, I decided to apply. I reviewed the available positions and decided to try my luck with the AI & Data Science position, given my interest in the field after researching it in some of my IS classes. A few days after I submitted my application, I received a request to complete a video interview. It was a short, 15-minute HigherVue assessment that focused on getting to know you as a candidate and your interests in the position. Two months later, in March, I was invited to a Super-Day interview. The Super-Day setup consisted of two back-to-back 30-minute interviews with 3-4 J.P. Morgan employees specific to the function for which you applied. I ended up doing pretty well during the interview and received an offer three weeks later.
What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Handshake, LinkedIn or other social media
What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I enjoyed most about my internship was the opportunity to learn from those around me. I wanted to take advantage of the chance I had to speak with professionals in the industry who work in roles that interest me. I gained much more clarity about my career interests when hearing about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role. I asked many questions that revealed aspects of the job expectations that I wouldn't have been able to discern from a simple job description. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. was a great company to gain industry experience with, and I truly encourage the push for professional growth. I appreciated being encouraged to explore different fields that interested me. At times, it felt like I was experiencing three internships in one. For instance, while at JPMC, I was paired with a mentor whom I met with weekly. During one of our meetings, I expressed my interest in User Experience design. My mentor then connected me with another JPMC professional who worked in that field. I learned about the projects she was involved in and the tools she used to create her designs. This experience prompted me to seek out courses and resources to further develop those skills and prepare for my future career. I still maintain contact with her to this day, and she has been instrumental in helping me progress towards becoming a great UX designer.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
While shadowing a team of product managers, I spent a lot of time hearing about possible solutions and approaches to solving the projects they were working on. My manager was involved in a project that required creating an algorithm to search the internet for specific information about thousands of potential clients. This algorithm aimed to collect information such as company name, stock value, location, organizational chart, etc., which would then be compiled into profiles stored in the company’s internal employee resource portal. The sources of this information were chosen based on their perceived reliability and value to JPMC. However, I found this approach inefficient because while a company might be valuable to JPMC in terms of business value, it might not provide the most reliable financial data. This could lead to inefficiencies due to the time taken to fill out the profiles. I suggested that only certain sources with a high rate of reliability should be used to retrieve data. I was then asked to share more about an alternative solution, which I pitched to the team for their consideration. The concept of incorporating multiple procedures for procuring information was implemented into the algorithm to enhance data retrieval effectiveness. Witnessing my idea evolve into a project requirement was incredibly rewarding. Additionally, I made valuable contributions during meetings by sharing my insights. As a new team member, I brought a fresh perspective to a team that had been developing a product for some time, identifying pain points that may not have been previously considered. Even if my ideas were not always implemented, I still facilitated meaningful conversations and provided insights to be considered in the future.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Make sure to reflect on your career interests first. What do you want to spend your summer doing? What companies are you interested in? One mistake that I made during my job search was applying to any and all internships that I saw were hiring, even to positions I didn’t care for just to get the internship experience. I thought that this method of applying everywhere and crossing my fingers was the most effective, but now I know that narrowing down your search will yield more quality results. The strongest applicants are those who have a true passion or interest in the field they are applying to. This way, when you get to that interview stage, you'll have a lot to speak about and your genuine enthusiasm will shine through. Once you find that field that makes you want to learn more about it, research the skills required to excel in the area. It will be a proactive way to get an early start on the application process and passively prepare for interviews. Before submitting your application, if possible, prepare yourself to be a competitive applicant. Take on leadership roles in on-campus clubs or organizations, look for part-time opportunities that relate to your career goals, and explore on-campus research that piques your interest. These are all resume boosters that can demonstrate your drive and initiative, qualities that recruiters are looking for. These tips will help you submit stronger applications that are more likely to land you the role you are seeking.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
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Pronouns: She/Her
Semester of Internship: Summer 2023
Major: Information Systems
Current Class Level: Junior
This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Location of the Organization (City, State): Columbus, Ohio
Title of position: AI & Data Science Fellow
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
Last summer, I worked as an AI & Data Science fellow at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. The program was created for sophomore students interested in getting acclimated to the corporate world of financial services. I spent six weeks in J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.’s Columbus, Ohio office from late May to early August. During the first three weeks of the program, we were able to hear from a series of guest speakers, including CEO Jamie Dimon, who shared their insights on topics like imposter syndrome, having a growth mindset, and the importance of networking. I had the opportunity to receive advice from industry professionals who had once been in my shoes and to learn how to make the most of any opportunity I faced. Additionally, we acquired valuable technical skills to prepare us for our function-specific tasks, such as Excel, Python, and SQL.
I had the chance to strengthen my User Experience design skills during this time as well. We were given the task of creating a business proposal that would help boost efficiency for one of J.P. Morgan Chase’s minority depository institutions (MDIs). Alongside 3 other interns, I assisted in the creation of a 20-slide presentation that included UX wireframes and visual media, which we later presented to the MDI representatives. We received very positive feedback from the panel and interest in the possible implementation of our AI virtual assistant product.
During the next three weeks of the program, we were split into our business functions. Another AI & Data Science intern and I were placed under the direction of a product management team that created an internal data retrieval algorithm, enabling bankers and other JPMC personnel to pull client information more quickly and efficiently. I participated in meetings and assisted my manager with the necessary research for the product. Additionally, I experimented with data visualization models to demonstrate the progress of the product to stakeholders. My internship concluded with a final group project with 3 other interns, where we used Python and SQL to complete a case study showcasing what we had learned over the summer.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I learned about this opportunity while searching through Handshake for internship opportunities. I had been checking in every few days to find new listings and updates for companies that interested me. In late January of 2023, I received an invitation to an exclusive virtual event by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. entitled, "Advancing Black Pathways / Advancing Hispanics & Latinos Fellowships Info Sessions." I was unfamiliar with this program at the time, so I found it beneficial to attend and learn more. I was able to hear from J.P. Morgan professionals and individuals who have completed the program. The Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) program aligned with my career interests and seemed like a great way to gain industry experience. After attending the session, I decided to apply. I reviewed the available positions and decided to try my luck with the AI & Data Science position, given my interest in the field after researching it in some of my IS classes. A few days after I submitted my application, I received a request to complete a video interview. It was a short, 15-minute HigherVue assessment that focused on getting to know you as a candidate and your interests in the position. Two months later, in March, I was invited to a Super-Day interview. The Super-Day setup consisted of two back-to-back 30-minute interviews with 3-4 J.P. Morgan employees specific to the function for which you applied. I ended up doing pretty well during the interview and received an offer three weeks later.
What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Handshake, LinkedIn or other social media
What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I enjoyed most about my internship was the opportunity to learn from those around me. I wanted to take advantage of the chance I had to speak with professionals in the industry who work in roles that interest me. I gained much more clarity about my career interests when hearing about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role. I asked many questions that revealed aspects of the job expectations that I wouldn't have been able to discern from a simple job description. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. was a great company to gain industry experience with, and I truly encourage the push for professional growth. I appreciated being encouraged to explore different fields that interested me. At times, it felt like I was experiencing three internships in one. For instance, while at JPMC, I was paired with a mentor whom I met with weekly. During one of our meetings, I expressed my interest in User Experience design. My mentor then connected me with another JPMC professional who worked in that field. I learned about the projects she was involved in and the tools she used to create her designs. This experience prompted me to seek out courses and resources to further develop those skills and prepare for my future career. I still maintain contact with her to this day, and she has been instrumental in helping me progress towards becoming a great UX designer.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
While shadowing a team of product managers, I spent a lot of time hearing about possible solutions and approaches to solving the projects they were working on. My manager was involved in a project that required creating an algorithm to search the internet for specific information about thousands of potential clients. This algorithm aimed to collect information such as company name, stock value, location, organizational chart, etc., which would then be compiled into profiles stored in the company’s internal employee resource portal. The sources of this information were chosen based on their perceived reliability and value to JPMC. However, I found this approach inefficient because while a company might be valuable to JPMC in terms of business value, it might not provide the most reliable financial data. This could lead to inefficiencies due to the time taken to fill out the profiles. I suggested that only certain sources with a high rate of reliability should be used to retrieve data. I was then asked to share more about an alternative solution, which I pitched to the team for their consideration. The concept of incorporating multiple procedures for procuring information was implemented into the algorithm to enhance data retrieval effectiveness. Witnessing my idea evolve into a project requirement was incredibly rewarding. Additionally, I made valuable contributions during meetings by sharing my insights. As a new team member, I brought a fresh perspective to a team that had been developing a product for some time, identifying pain points that may not have been previously considered. Even if my ideas were not always implemented, I still facilitated meaningful conversations and provided insights to be considered in the future.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Make sure to reflect on your career interests first. What do you want to spend your summer doing? What companies are you interested in? One mistake that I made during my job search was applying to any and all internships that I saw were hiring, even to positions I didn’t care for just to get the internship experience. I thought that this method of applying everywhere and crossing my fingers was the most effective, but now I know that narrowing down your search will yield more quality results. The strongest applicants are those who have a true passion or interest in the field they are applying to. This way, when you get to that interview stage, you'll have a lot to speak about and your genuine enthusiasm will shine through. Once you find that field that makes you want to learn more about it, research the skills required to excel in the area. It will be a proactive way to get an early start on the application process and passively prepare for interviews. Before submitting your application, if possible, prepare yourself to be a competitive applicant. Take on leadership roles in on-campus clubs or organizations, look for part-time opportunities that relate to your career goals, and explore on-campus research that piques your interest. These are all resume boosters that can demonstrate your drive and initiative, qualities that recruiters are looking for. These tips will help you submit stronger applications that are more likely to land you the role you are seeking.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
The career center helped me prepare my application by providing free resume workshops and review services. I used the online resume guide to understand the qualities of a strong resume and the common mistakes that could potentially hold me back.