Not long after putting their pencils down on the last bubble sheet, many Marriott School students say good-bye to their final exams and to Y Mountain, leaving Provo in pursuit of internships and experience.
Although they travel to cities and firms across the continent and overseas, every year a growing group land in the city that never sleeps. The students have found that New York City—with Wall Street, Madison Avenue, and the headquarters of hundreds of multinational firms—is one of the best places to work and learn.
We followed four Marriott School students around Manhattan as they worked in and explored the wonders of the concrete jungle.
Brad Moss, MBA at Citigroup
At one point in his interview with Citigroup, the tables were turned on Brad Moss. Although Moss was focused on selling himself, the interviewer asked if he had any questions. Moss responded, “What is one piece of advice you would give to someone like me, just starting out in my career?”
“He said, ‘If there was only one thing I would do, it would be to start my career in New York City,’” recalls Moss, who landed the internship. “Being here has only reemphasized the importance of being in a place so full of phenomenal people and top businesses.”
Moss spends his days as a summer associate in Citigroup’s HR and marketing department. “I’ve created an automated system to identify key personnel we need to focus on for leadership training,” he says. “I’ve also been mentored by and networked with excellent co-workers. I’ll join them when they get a drink or coffee after work, but I always order ginger ale or hot chocolate.”
Outside the office, Moss and his family have been able to explore the city and participate in the Morningside Heights Ward, which meets in the same building as the Manhattan Temple.
“Our best family outing was a walk in Riverside Park when our two kids discovered fireflies,” he says. “Our daughter lit up and pointed each one out as it would glow and fade. She stared at the bushes until a new one appeared, and she would call out, ‘Another one, Daddy!’”
Moss has also found another unexpected benefit of the city—catching up on his reading during his thirty-five minute train ride. “It’s so easy to live without a car here. I read a lot on my Kindle during the commute,” he acknowledges. “I also love the energy in Manhattan—it’s enlivening, and I’ll miss it when I finish.”
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Things to do before leaving NYC: Attend a Broadway show, visit the Statue of Liberty, see a Yankees game, go to the Bronx Zoo, buy a NYC snow globe for my daughter
One thing I wish I’d packed : A bed—the bed we’re sleeping on is terrible!
Sightings: Anderson Cooper hailing a cab in Tribeca and Robin Williams at the movie theater
Amy Hansen, Undergraduate Accounting at Grant Thornton
Almost every day after her internship at Grant Thornton, Amy Hansen leaves her office on 3rd Avenue, jumps on the shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square, and heads uptown on the express train to 72nd Street. Her destination: Steps on Broadway for her ballet class.
“The class is wonderful; it helps me relieve stress and also improves my flexibility, coordination, and strength,” says Hansen, who started dance lessons when she was four. “It’s physically demanding—I ran track and cross-country in high school, and ballet class is more challenging than a three-mile run.”
It’d be easy to assume that Hansen is a little obsessed with dancing—she wasn’t in town even a week before she attended the New York City Ballet—but there are nearly fifty non-ballet items on her NYC bucket list. “The city’s a great fit for me culturally,” she says. “I have always wanted to begin my career here. I love the diverse experiences and the fast-paced environment filled with all sorts of people. There is something for everyone.”
During the weekdays Hansen spends her internship preparing and reviewing tax returns, specifically those of high-net-worth individuals. “My internship has taught me the importance of constant communication,” she says. “Careful planning and good communication are necessary for the work to get done efficiently and accurately.”
Whether rubbing shoulders with high-level executives or dancing alongside professional ballerinas, Hansen is consistently impressed by her surroundings. “There is so much talent within such a small radius,” she says. “From successful business professionals to street performers, the city is filled with the best of the best.”
Hometown: San Diego
Things to do before leaving NYC: Watch a polo match, visit Coney Island, get tickets to How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, eat at Grimaldi’s Pizza, order frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity
Sightings: Dave Chappelle, a block from Times Square
What I’ll miss when I’m back at the Y : Being in a city that is awake all hours gives me the freedom to explore and constantly have new experiences
Wilfried Eyi, Undergraduate Finance at Goldman Sachs
Wilfried Eyi is always on the go. He hits the ground running as he leaves his Upper West Side apartment and doesn’t pause much in his daily marathon until he returns home after the sun sets.
Interning at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking Division—with a picture-perfect view of the Statue of Liberty—is a good fit for Eyi, who says he has a deep passion for finance.
“New York seemed like the best place to begin my career,” he says. “It attracts the brightest in high finance, and the mass of professionals here provide an excellent opportunity to build a strong foundation for my career.”
Besides work, Eyi says the highlight of his stay in New York has been the melting pot of cultures and the strong singles ward. “It makes me try harder to be who I want to be instead of following the general consensus,” he says. “It’s really good to have such a strong BYU population here; it provides for both spiritual and social experiences, like going to the Hill Cumorah pageant.”
Eyi, an undergraduate student from Africa, says his NY experience has been invaluable—from learning how to juggle his time in the demanding field of finance to being surprised how nice most New Yorkers are.
“I would strongly advise Marriott School students to reach out to anyone they know in order to get an internship,” Eyi says. “Also, I would urge them not to be afraid of seeking internships in cities they may be less familiar with. The more we spread out, the more we’ll strengthen the school’s brand.”
Hometown: Libreville, Gabon
Things to do before leaving NYC: Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Favorite restaurant: Baba Ghanouge, for its Middle Eastern cuisine
What I’ll miss when I’m back at the Y: The thrill of commuting in a big city
One thing I wish I'd packed: My girlfriend, if I could have
Jeff Dredge, MBA at Sachs Insights
Jeff Dredge, who grew up in an Idaho town of less than four thousand, had never stepped foot on New York or ever really wanted to work there in the first place. But then he had a change of heart.
“My girlfriend got an internship in New Jersey,” he says, “so I started looking for one in the area.”
Dredge ended up interning in finance and accounting at Sachs Insights, a market research firm in SoHo. “The company is expanding, and I suggest improvements and implement best practices and procedures,” he says. “I’m working on a model that will determine the bonus pool available to employees if targets are met. I’ve also developed a financial reporting package that is presented monthly to management and is used to review performance.”
While learning how to navigate the subways and the importance of sleeping with earplugs, Dredge has also gained an appreciation for the Big Apple’s culture and cuisine. “I love the food! You name it, and you can find an amazing restaurant serving it in New York City. If you’re not careful, you could definitely put on a few pounds here, and it just might be worth it,” he says.
In addition to his epicurean excursions, Dredge has also visited the Statue of Liberty, been to the top of the Empire State Building, and watched a Cirque du Soleil show at Radio City Music Hall—in addition to one other important experience.
“I proposed to my girlfriend at sunset in Jersey City along the Hudson River with a great view of the Manhattan skyline. We will be getting married in October,” Dredge says. “It was one of the best decisions of my life to follow Hayley (my fiancée) to NYC.”
Hometown: Shelley, Idaho
Things to do before leaving NYC: Visit Coney Island and the Jersey beach
What I’ll miss when I’m back at the Y: All the great lunch spots around my office
Church highlight: Hearing Elder L. Tom Perry, Elder Quentin L. Cook, and Senator Harry Reid speak at a YSA conference
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Photographed by Seth Smoot
