Make The Connection

November 5, 2020 | By Cole Hatcher

FDIC Scholar

Ohio Wesleyan Senior Interning with Government Banking Agency

Aakash Gupta ’21

Name: Aakash Gupta ’21
Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Major: Finance Economics
Minor: Accounting
OWU Connection Experience: FDIC Financial Management Scholar

Gupta is interning with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as part of the FDIC’s Financial Management Scholars Program. He is working in the Risk Management Supervision (RMS) Department. Gupta was scheduled to work in FDIC’s Lexington, Massachusetts, field office, but now is completing the internship remotely in response to the coronavirus pandemic. He uses a government-issued laptop that provides a secured workstation.

Why I Pursued This Experience

“I chose this internship because I felt that it would provide me with hands-on experience in the field of financial analysis. I applied to six other internships at banks and investment firms, but when I learned more about my responsibilities at the FDIC, I felt that I would receive the best experience.

“What really spoke to me about this internship was that I would be learning about the responsibilities of what the FDIC does on a daily basis and what goes on if a bank has to be shut down.”

My Favorite Moment

“My favorite experience was during the third bank evaluation where three other interns and I had the chance to lead a meeting with the bank’s CFO. This was both fun and nerve-wracking at the same time. I was happy to be trusted to ask him questions about their liquidity position.”

Lessons Learned

“While in classes, I have always wondered how to apply what I am learning in class to the real world. It is easy to do the classwork, but when it comes to doing a job or an internship, you can see how much you know and do not know.

“This internship really showed me how much I have learned throughout my many classes taken with Professor (Barbara) MacLeod. For example, throughout my many finance classes, we had to conduct a ratio analysis for different companies. Throughout the internship, we were expected to do that same thing for the bank, and it gave me a chance to apply my knowledge.

“Experiences like this matter because you will be able to see if this is the field you want to pursue or look at different areas in the finance sector.”

Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan

“Throughout high school, I was interested in law and politics so I decided to look for good universities with an excellent program. My sister who graduated from Ohio Wesleyan in 2018 talked to me about OWU’s program and how reputable it was.

“I decided to apply and was accepted, but three months before my freshman year began, I changed my major to finance and economics, and I was happy to find out that the department was well-respected.”

My Plans after Graduation

“I am currently looking for jobs in the field of economics and finance. After gaining some work experience, I would love to get my master’s degree in both finance and economics.”