Tell us about your background and what brought you to be an intern at Intuit.
I’m an alum of George Washington University where I graduated with a B.S. in Public Health with a concentration in Health Equity and a minor in African American & Diaspora Studies. My coursework focused heavily on structural barriers that marginalized populations faced throughout history and its impact on their livelihoods and communities. Through fieldwork, research, and data analysis, I gained a deep understanding of inequitable systems and practices globally.
But, what brought me to intern at Intuit was my recruiter. I received a message on LinkedIn and I was eager to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) intern. I applied to dozens of internships during my junior year of college. I’d have never thought that I would have interned at a company like Intuit. In part, because my degree was in the health sector, I envisioned that I’d work in healthcare administration post-grad. However, I was excited by the tech industry and eager to apply my unique perspective to a financial technology firm.
Were you familiar with Intuit prior to being an intern?
I was raised in a working-class Jamaican household where I learned first hand what it meant to make difficult financial decisions. My socioeconomic background led me to work multiple jobs in college to pay my tuition. This is how I learned about Intuit. I began using Credit Karma to keep track of my expenses and later TurboTax to file my taxes to complete my FASFA.
How did your internship prepare you for success in your full-time role? What are you up to now?
After interning, I was offered a full-time role as a DEI Specialist. My internship prepared me for success in my full-time role because I was already familiar with the company culture and DEI programs. During my internship, I gained hands-on experience that deepened my understanding of DEI, program management, and employee experience.
My internship and full-time conversion provided me with lifelong advantages. I was the first person in my family to work in a corporate environment which provided me with an amazing professional network. After my internship, I developed relationships with people who were genuinely invested in my success, both professionally and personally. I met Alonda Phillips, University Recruiting Senior Program Manager during my internship, and she continued to support me during my full-time role by helping me along my transition and serving as a listening ear.
What advice would you give interns embarking on their internship this summer?
An essential part of having a positive internship experience is understanding your role, responsibilities, and goals.
To add value to your team throughout your internship, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I fully understand my role and responsibilities? If not, how can I communicate my questions to my hiring manager?
- What professional skills can I get better at to succeed in my role? How can I showcase those skills during a 12-week internship?
- What do I want to achieve by the end of my internship and is my hiring manager aware of this goal?
Knowing the answers to these questions kept me aligned with my hiring manager. As an early career professional, asking questions and self-advocacy are key components in meeting and exceeding expectations. So, it’s important for you to take the time to establish your goals and responsibilities early on.
Learn more about Intuit’s internship and co-op programs here.