Intern Diary: Why My OppenheimerFunds Internship Was Different

Recently, we teamed up with three former OppenheimerFunds interns who shared what it’s like to work for the global asset management firm. Today’s post is from Gianluca Casapietra, a student at University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Math and Economics. Gianluca interned for the Global Equities team in New York City. Here’s what he had to say about his experience.

It would be unjust to single out a particular internship experience as “most memorable”. The combination of small experiences like lunch with analysts and talking with portfolio managers has significantly changed how I view companies—and how I determine whether a company is a good investment in my career. If I had to pick the most valuable thing I learned, it’s not some financial model, but how to think.

OppenheimerFunds stands out because it has a long-term investment bias. That means no one is thinking only as far as the next quarter. Because of this, you’re able to spend a lot of time thinking bigger about where the world is heading. Some people may view finance and Wall Street as boring and numbers-oriented, but what I found while working there was that it’s very academically and intellectually stimulating. My conversations with co-workers are similar to those I’d have with professors at my university.

What I value most about my internship is how much I’ve grown. I had a lot to learn about accounting and corporate finance when I joined, and I think that’s a good thing. No matter how much experience you have when you start an internship here, it won’t change how valuable the position is for your future career.

Ready to start your career at OppenheimerFunds? Head over to WayUp to explore open positions.