What and where did you study before your Mountbatten internship?
I received my BS in Accounting, and got my MBA from the University of Dayton.

What made you apply for the Mountbatten program?
During my MBA I studied with a number of German students who opened my eyes to the world outside of the US. After spending the year with them, I was motivated to find opportunities outside of the US.

Describe your sponsor company and your role within it.
I worked for Bank of America in a corporate reporting role. We were responsible for creating and consolidating the financial statements from sub-legal entities to create the larger financial statements for the organization.

What was the highlight/most memorable moment of your working experience during this year?
Working with my team in London was the most memorable part of my experience. I was lucky enough to be placed with a very social and fun team from all around the world, so it really felt like a continuation of my MBA in America.

What was the social highlight/most memorable moment during this year?
Going to Glastonbury was definitely my most memorable experience. English music festivals are completely different to music festivals in America (in a good way). Spending 5 days in the country, getting dirty, having fun and listening to music with friends. What’s not to like?

Please share a little wisdom/philosophy that you acquired during your internship
Whatever job you have, treat it like a year long job interview. The connections you make during your time have the power to open doors and shape the rest of your life.

Would you have done anything differently, if you had your time over again?
Not really. I had an absolutely amazing time, and was able to make connections with co-workers and friends that I still keep to this day. I would not be where I am today without Mountbatten.

What happened after completing the year – what did you do next?
I moved to New York, based on the connections I made in London. Bank of America went into a hiring freeze after the subprime mortgage crisis, but I was able to secure a role covering for someone who was going out on maternity leave. I was eventually able to convert that opportunity to a full time role with BoA in NYC.

Where are you now in your working life and what do you do?
I work for Google as a media measurement specialist. We use data and advanced analytics to develop bidding algorithms which identify customers who have the highest probability to convert, and subsequently determine the statistical impact of the media exposure.

Do you have any future plans that you would like to realise & what are they (career & social)?
I’d like to eventually work in a field which uses data to actively help people, in whatever capacity that is.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am dyslexic, and it makes it hard for me to read, write and spell. It’s a limitation, but I have been able to overcome it for the most part through hard work and practice, but it’s something that has been with me my whole life.

Is there any other information that you would like to be included?
Both my first and second careers are a direct result of both professional and personal connections I made during my time in London. Don’t lose touch with anyone from your Mountbatten experience, you never know how they might help shape your future.