10/21/2026
Mehdi Mesbahi, VZ Class of 2024 (and currently in his 3rd year of law school), has some advice about getting the internship and turning that internship into opportunities.
Getting a finance internship is, honestly, a numbers game. I sent out probably hundreds of applications, and most of them went nowhere. You really cannot get discouraged by that, because rejection is just part of it. I focused on staying consistent, making small improvements to my resume, and getting better at explaining my experience each time. Eventually, that started to translate into interviews, and once I got more comfortable telling my story, I was able to land an offer. It is not a quick process, especially in finance where it is competitive, but if you stick with it and keep applying, something will hit.
Once I got the internship, I treated it as more than just a short-term role. I looked at it as my chance to earn a full-time offer, so I tried to be intentional with my work and take initiative wherever I could. I focused on doing things the right way, building strong Excel skills, and staying open to learning anything new that came up. Instead of just doing what was assigned, I tried to contribute wherever I could add value. That mindset helped me get a full-time offer, and when I came back, I kept approaching things the same way. Over time, I have been able to build a strong network of coworkers and clients who trust my work and who I have real relationships with, which is something that can open doors down the line. I have been with the company for over two years now and was promoted back in October, which really just comes down to being consistent, putting in the work, and always trying to improve.
