Toni Tileva
Editor’s note: This summer, we’re charting Kogod students’ internship experiences in this special spotlight series. We’re documenting their growth by exploring where they’re interning, why, and how their experiences feed into longer-term goals post-Kogod.
Kael Lopes began pursuing his MBA at the Kogod School of Business with several impressive titles already on his resume. He had previously worked in the community organizing and international development spaces, filling roles from grassroots organizer and environmental educator to project and program manager. Throughout his career, he has built a solid and adaptable set of skills that serve him well even as he pursues new goals.
“I came to Kogod to gain the skills I needed to pivot from my previous career path,” Lopes explained. “My previous roles allowed me to gain significant experience in data analytics and strategy, and I was able to expand my network significantly. While I’m now moving to completely different industries and roles, the experiences I’ve gained were fundamental in preparing me for my current role. I developed transferrable skills that I’m currently applying.”
During his time at Kogod, Lopes has consulted with organizations such as Justice and Sustainability Associates, Bizzell Global, and the National Park Service to learn more about his career options. He’s currently interning at Citi, a banking company where he’s furthering his understanding of everything from data analysis to professional development.
We talked with Lopes about his internship with Citi, what he’s learning, and how his fellow Kogod students can find hands-on learning opportunities.
Kogod: What led you to your internship at Citi? Why do you think you were selected to participate in this internship?
Lopes: I found the internship opportunity through an AU alum who had previously worked in the same role. To prepare, I attended several interview prep sessions, both with him and with the Office of Career Engagement.
My transferrable skills helped me get selected for the internship. Since I applied to a rotational program, my role requires a significant amount of data analysis and strategic thinking, but it also values interpersonal communication skills and adaptability.
What are some of your responsibilities at Citi, and what are you learning?
One thing to know about this internship is that every day is different. Each intern is placed on two different teams; for example, I’m part of the Core Payments team for my primary project and the Cobrands team for my secondary project. While my primary project focuses on analyzing and improving upon existing operations, my secondary project is more forward-looking and involves a lot more strategy development. Continued education is a primary component of this internship; Citi interns receive training in accounting, financial analysis, and data visualization and analysis.
Outside of our direct projects, this internship is meant to introduce interns to Citi and its business units.
I’ve been placed in direct proximity to major decision-makers here. I’ve learned a lot from them about strategically approaching career advancement and further developing myself as a professional."
Kael Lopes
MBA Student, Kogod School of Business
Every day at Citi is full of learning opportunities. At a high level, I’m learning a lot about the banking industry—specifically consumer trends and innovation within retail banking, and how Citi aims to continue growing in that space.
What are some of the things you’ve learned about finance and banking?
I’m learning a lot about how banks define success and adjust to factors like new technologies, changing customer preferences, and economic shifts to achieve and maintain that success. As part of Citi’s Core Payments team, I work closely with the Retail Banking business unit, and I’ve met with product managers to discuss operational challenges and aspirational goals for each product in their portfolio. Through these meetings, I’ve learned a great deal about the various mechanisms and processes that lead to successful banking.
How does your internship connect to your studies at Kogod?
While pursuing my MBA at Kogod, I’ve delved deeply into data analytics. My elective courses primarily focus on data visualization tools, predictive analytics, and statistics. Success in my current role at Citi depends on the tools and skills I’ve developed in these courses. I use these skills almost daily as I complete deliverables for my team at Citi.
What advice would you give to other students who want to pursue work in finance?
Remain curious and challenge yourself. Before starting my MBA, I had very limited quantitative analytical skills. My decisions to participate in several pro bono consulting projects and pursue a certificate in data analytics were fundamental to my professional and personal growth.
To learn more about how Kogod’s Office of Career Engagement can support students in their goals, click here.