This STA article is dedicated to the many financial services interns in the United States and Canada. Please forward to those interns working among us this summer.
Welcome to the Intern Class of 2022!
It’s June, and that means that many college and graduate school students have started a summer internship program.
For those interns in the financial services industry, we welcome you! We hope that your experience this summer inspires you to choose a career among the thousands who have gone before you and stand ready to help in whatever way we can. The excitement, and the challenges, of the U.S. and Canadian financial markets attract highly talented and bright individuals across a wide range of fields and skillsets, not limited to only those with Finance degrees.
For those unfamiliar with STA, we are a trade organization for individual professionals in the financial services industry. Composed of 24 affiliate organizations across the United States and Canada, STA advocates on behalf of and fosters collaboration among its members, while also representing their interests with legislators, regulators and other industry organizations.
Founded in 1934, STA has witnessed dramatic advancements in technology that enable capital to move across asset classes and borders with little friction at speeds and efficiency never envisioned.
Relationships Matter & Career Development
However, while our markets look very different today than decades ago, there is a principle which has withstood the test of time and that is, relationships matter. This principle is most often referred to when talking about the relationship between service providers and clients. But there are another scenarios where it carries significant importance and that is in career development.
The financial services industry remains very much an apprentice industry. Which basically means, you acquire many of the skills required in your job from those more senior, or experienced. Therefore, observing, listening and asking questions at the appropriate time will broaden your knowledge and deepen your experience as an intern.
Relationships with your peers is equally important in your career development. As a member of your firm’s 2022 Class, you share a unique bond that fosters a sense of community. Tapping into that camaraderie will help you overcome challenges that you will undoubtedly face in the weeks to come. So, we encourage you that as you think about where to allocate your time and effort, be sure to invest in the relationships around you.
We also ask that you consider becoming an STA Student in Finance Member. Students who are enrolled full-time as an undergraduate or postgraduate are eligible for STA’s Student in Finance (STA SIF) Membership. STA SIF membership is free and ideal for students who want to stay informed on the financial services industry upon returning to school and to connect with securities industry professionals.
Finally, we also reposted a handful of archived STA articles that we think you will find helpful in your internship, as well as provide an overview of STA.
Enjoy the reads, and best of luck to you this summer!
