Internships, college life, and more
Told from Funding University’s very own intern.
This summer, we’ve had the privilege of having Tori return to the Funding University HQ and come work for us. We asked her to share some insights of what she’s learned in the past couple of years as a college student and intern. We’re so glad that she’s a part of our team and we hope you enjoy this contribution from her!

My thoughts on a few things:
Summer internships
Throughout the year your professor and even your parents will nag you about Summer internships. The idea made me so anxious and the task of finding the right one seemed overwhelming. Thankfully summer internships are not created to scare you, but they are meant to provide you with experience for your future career choice.
Choosing the internship that you’d like
First, you should think about the what you’d like to become after you graduate. Don’t stress, there is no pressure here for you to decide your career choice now, but think back to when you were a kid and people would ask you “what do you want to be when you grew up?”. Some kids would say an astronaut, if this was you, consider an internship with physics or astronomy. A number of kids would say that they wanted to become a doctor and if this is the case for you, think about internships inside the medical field. If you wanted to be an artist roaming around in Paris think of internships with digital design and marketing. The possibilities are endless but the first step is choosing a subject matter that interests you and one that would not bore you to death while you’re doing it.
Application Process
Surprisingly deadlines for summer internships come around the winter time so it is best to start looking for your ideal internship around the time school starts. This way, you will have plenty of time to search and apply. Using your school’s database will be your best friend during this time period so you can seek the opportunities you want and need. Google, however, will be your other friend because it’ll provide you the information and qualifications to apply. Helpful things to add to your search would be to type in your ideal position and your ideal location. Location is an extremely important factor in deciding where you will be working.
Interview Tips
When going into an interview no matter the position, dress professionally and look neat. If you are not sure what professional looks like there are numerous youtube videos and articles to guide you along the way. When in front of your possible future employer greet them with a firm handshake and a slight smile. It is always helpful during an interview to have done your homework about the company you’re trying to work for. Knowing their mission statement and their goals as a company will help you answer questions and give you cues on which side of your personality you decide to show. The night before, it would be great if you could Google common interview questions and practice answering them so that your responses are fluid during your interview. Make sure to relax and be yourself. Usually, the person interviewing you will be working with you or interacting with you so try not to let your nerves turn you into a robot. When leaving, end with a firm handshake and kind words and you’ll walk out the place in confidence.
College Life
The sad stories of Ramen noodles and cheap Chinese take-out are actually very true when you go off to school, but college life isn’t so bad. Between Greek life, the equestrian team, and the math squad there are numerous organizations to join and the networking opportunities are limitless. You’ll make friends that will last you a lifetime but it is very important to remember time management and to squeeze time in between classes for studying. Remembering your end goal will keep you motivated as you progress throughout your undergraduate program.
School Tips
Keep your syllabus. I know it will be the first day of class and you will think you’ll never use those few pieces of paper again but your syllabus will help you plan the rest of the semester. You’ll be up to date with test schedules and you’ll also know when to start test prep and pre-writing your papers. There are numerous apps to help remind you of deadlines and school work to keep you on track. If you are a procrastinator like me, setting reminders and random alarms to start your homework will actually help.
Talk to your professor
I know you probably think that you and your professor have nothing in common, but they are human too! They are there for you to use and abuse with your never ending list of questions. As long as your questions are meaningful and reasonable, then don’t be afraid to ask for help. Finding a study buddy will also help you to stay on top of deadlines and having a different perspective is always helpful when completing academic tasks. If you prefer working alone, signing up for a tutor would be ideal.
When the struggle gets real
When you notice yourself starting to struggle, immediately get help. NEVER wait until the last minute to find help. Never depend on the final exam to magically give you a passing grade in the class either. Always plan ahead and get your grade at least five points above your desired score to give yourself wiggle room for the final exam. Final Exams are usually between 15- 30% of most college classes so give yourself at least two weeks of prepping. A month of prepping in advance would be most ideal.
Never give up
While you’re in school remember you will be challenged mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically to ensure growth. While all of these changes are happening never lose hope in working towards your degree. Never lose faith or sight of your dream career!
YOU CAN DO IT !!!!
Funding University is a private lender that underwrites students based on their chosen career path instead of parents’ cosigners and FICO scores. Where most lenders depend on the latter, Funding University’s formula depends on your potential in your chosen field. To learn more, or see if you prequalify, visitwww.funding-university.com.
