Banking on It
Ohio Wesleyan Student Builds Career Skills with Federal Reserve Bank Internship
Name: Isaiah DeLeon '28
Hometown: Houston, Texas
High School: Westside High School
Majors: Business Administration: Management Concentration and Finance
Minors: Data Analytics and Spanish
OWU Connection Experience: Working as a Real Estate Services intern for 12 weeks over the summer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Texas – Houston Branch
My Internship
"During my internship, I gained firsthand experience in how a Federal Reserve Bank operates and contributed to work related to real estate, financial analysis, and business operations.
"My responsibilities included conducting research and analysis to help identify opportunities to reduce costs across maintenance and cleaning services throughout Federal Reserve facilities. I also contributed to efforts aimed at improving operational efficiency by exploring how AI tools and data-driven approaches could streamline internal processes and support better decision-making. In addition, I gained experience working with real-world data, business operations, and professional reporting.
"The experience allowed me to apply concepts from my finance and business coursework to a professional environment while learning more about the role the Federal Reserve plays in the economy."
Why This Experience?
"I pursued this opportunity because I wanted to gain meaningful professional experience in finance while learning more about an organization that plays such an important role in the U.S. economy. As a Finance and Business Administration major, I was especially interested in seeing how the concepts I learn in the classroom are applied in a real-world setting.
"The opportunity was also meaningful to me personally because I am a first-generation, low-income college student from Houston. Experiences like this have shown me that my background does not limit the opportunities I can pursue. Interning at the Federal Reserve allowed me to return to my hometown in a professional capacity and gain experience that I can carry with me throughout my career."
My Favorite Moment
"My favorite part of the experience was being able to see firsthand how the work I was doing connected to a much larger organization and mission. Working alongside professionals at the Federal Reserve gave me the opportunity to ask questions, learn from people with years of experience, and better understand how different areas of finance and business come together.
"One of the most memorable parts of the internship was participating in a community service engagement activity with the other interns at the Dallas Zoo, which allowed us to connect outside of the workplace while giving back to the local community."
Lessons Learned
"One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of connecting classroom knowledge to real-world situations. My coursework in finance, business administration, and data analytics gave me a foundation that helped me better understand the work I encountered during my internship. At the same time, the internship taught me that professional work requires more than technical knowledge. Communication, attention to detail, adaptability, and the ability to ask good questions are equally important."
An OWU Mentor
"Carolyn Lammert helped tailor my resume and push me to apply for internships early on and boost my confidence overall in the process." (Lammert is assistant director of OWU's Career Catalyst Program, part of the Career Connection office, and serves as the liaison for economics and business opportunities.)
My Campus Involvements
"Outside of the classroom, I have been involved in several academic and professional development opportunities (including being named as a 2025-2026 Accounting and Finance Fellow by OWU's Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship).
"I have also been involved in organizations such as Rafiki, Trail Bound, the Equestrian Club, and WCSA (student government), which have helped me build leadership skills, strengthen my sense of community, and grow both personally and professionally."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose Ohio Wesleyan because I wanted a college experience that would challenge me academically while also providing opportunities to grow personally and professionally. OWU offered me the opportunity to study Business Administration and Finance while also pursuing minors in Data Analytics and Spanish.
"The support and opportunities available to students were also important to me. As a first-generation, low-income student, receiving the opportunity to attend OWU on a full scholarship made a significant difference in my educational journey. OWU has given me access to experiences, mentors, and professional opportunities that have helped me become more confident in pursuing a career in finance."
My Federal Reserve internship has been especially valuable because it allowed me to apply what I have learned at OWU in a professional setting and helped me better understand the type of career I want to pursue after graduation.
My Plans After Graduation
"After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in finance, with interests in areas such as banking, investment management, corporate finance, and real estate. I want to build a career that allows me to continue developing my analytical and financial skills while taking on increasing levels of responsibility.
"OWU is preparing me for these goals through my Finance and Business Administration coursework, my Data Analytics and Spanish minors, and opportunities to gain practical experience outside the classroom. My Federal Reserve internship has been especially valuable because it allowed me to apply what I have learned at OWU in a professional setting and helped me better understand the type of career I want to pursue after graduation."