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Name: Sophia Ahmed ’20
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Major: Management Economics
Minor: Women’s and Gender Studies
OWU Connection Experience: Citi Bank summer internship in Dallas, Texas
Ahmed was hired for a 10-week paid summer internship supporting the Citi Bank Global Consumer Banking and Technology team in Dallas, Texas. She obtained the job with the support of 1994 OWU graduate Shadman Zafar, Citi Bank’s global consumer technology head for digital. He lectured on campus in fall 2018. “This experience was all thanks to him, and I am truly honored to be able to have it.”
Why I wanted this experience
“I am truly passionate about finance and business, and this experience exposed me to the corporate culture and provided me with the role I wanted to perform as an intern. The sheer nature of the job and the department it was in – Global Consumer Banking and Technology – (offered) a unique experience which stood out to me.”
My favorite moment
“My favorite experience has been networking with my team at work! I am the only intern who supports them, and they always treat me as a true part of the team.
“They are super helpful and have helped me learn a lot of hard skills on the job! Every day is a new learning experience, and sometimes a challenge, but they're always there to guide me.”
Lessons learned
“I learned the importance of speaking up for yourself, especially when you don’t understand something. It is totally OK to admit that you don't know how to do something because there’s always someone there to help you!
“Additionally, I learned the importance of being open to meeting others. Since my internship was for 10 weeks, it almost felt like going to college again as a freshman and making new friends. It’s important to be open to meeting others and having mutual respect for them because you make great connections! It also matters to have work life balance to make sure you enjoy your experience.
“Lastly, I learned the importance of doing work that you are truly passionate about. Having a job that you enjoy, and one which connects to your major, can be very helpful in transitioning into the workplace.”
Why I chose Ohio Wesleyan
“I chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan University because of the Economic Management Fellows program and the emphasis on leadership in business that The Woltemade Center has.
“I always knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts college due to the well-rounded educational experience, and OWU stood out to me. My time at OWU has been so memorable, and I cannot imagine that I would be who I am today without having been a Bishop!”
My plans after graduation
“After graduation, I plan on definitely pursuing my master’s in either finance or applied economics. I also want to gain work experience within the United States and would love to be able to pursue a career as a financial or business analyst. As a Pakistani citizen, I definitely want to give back to my country in any way I can at the end of my career path!”