We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What is one transferable skill that you gained during an internship that is now valuable/leverageable in your career
Here is what they shared:
- Tailored Communication
- Sell-Side Equity Analysis
- Curiosity
- Adaptability
- Executive Presence
- Teamwork
Tailored Communication
A valuable skill I learned during my internship in healthcare management while at W. P. Carey was understanding my audience and tailoring my message to communicate most effectively.
Tailoring your message to your audience is so important when speaking to different groups such as executive teams, clinical staff, and other front-line teams that help you run your business. When you tailor your message to your audience based on their areas of focus and how they measure success, you can deliver a message that touches on the things that they care about most and are able to connect with them in a more impactful way.
Always take the time necessary to understand what your audience cares about most and tailor your message to accommodate. Business is done much more optimally when everyone is on the same page.
Ben Anderson, Management Associate, MBA ‘19, Fairview Health Services
Sell-Side Equity Analysis
At my internship at Gradient Analytics, I learned how to analyze the earnings quality of a company through financial modeling, reading public releases of information from the company, and building a thesis to synthesize this information into something tangibly usable for an investor.
Personally, I did not realize how applicable this type of research was to understanding the entire business world. I now have a much deeper understanding of when and why companies fall apart. Usually, financial analysis sticks to more surface-level information, such as whether a company will go up in value, not always on if it will go down and how much.
Pairing knowledge of both from a combination of school, outside certifications, and this internship has led to a very deep knowledge of how to value a business and how to improve business processes.
Grady Cool, Financial Advisor, BS Economics and Finance ‘21, Morgan Stanley
Curiosity
My internship experiences have been some of the most valuable experiences in my career. They have allowed me to put what I have learned from classes into hands-on practice, all while learning from experts and professionals.
One skill that I have gained that I still use in my career now is always being curious. Curiosity fuels passion and has allowed me to explore areas that I never thought were possible. It has made me open to learning new skills and ways no matter how much I think I know a subject. I have observed that the brightest people are the ones that have endless curiosity and are always humble to learn more!
Audrey Garcia, Brand Creative Partner, BS Marketing ‘19, TikTok
Adaptability
If there’s one transferable skill I mastered through the multiple internships I held during my time at W. P. Carey, it’s learning how to quickly adapt to ever-changing environments. Especially in fields like Marketing, Sales, and Public Relations, possessing this skill has proved to be highly valuable in my career and beyond.
I’d urge every student to push themselves into unfamiliar territory, tackle new challenges, and be open to change. Internships provide the perfect opportunity to branch out into different industries and develop a variety of professional skills – don’t be afraid to fail! And always remember, growth happens when comfortability ends.
Carly Kramer, Marketing and Community Manager, BS Marketing and BS Business Law ‘20, The Garage
Executive Presence
In my first internship, I had the exciting opportunity to work with company executives on a regular basis. As I progressed, I learned the importance of “executive presence.” Executive presence is the ability to formulate and explain your work and rationale in a succinct, informed manner that clearly articulates to leadership the value you bring to an organization. With practice, this ultimately leads to trust with executives, an invaluable skill as you progress through your career.
Justin Capella, Media Relations Manager, MBA ‘20, Xerox Holdings Corporation
Teamwork
As an international business student and now a professional, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and values, I’ve learned that teamwork is the most valuable transferable skill. It showcases an individual’s ability to collaborate with others toward a common objective, breaking down barriers and fostering a more productive, efficient, and innovative work environment.
In my professional experience, I have always been part of a team, emphasizing the significance of teamwork. Being a team player has enabled me to be adaptable, learn from others, communicate effectively, and has been a crucial factor in my leadership development.
Espoir L., Program Management Associate, BA Business Law ‘21, Rolls Royce
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