Career success is a process, it's not always a step-by-step kind of thing but it does take consistent action on the basics - applying, networking, gaining experience, personal branding - to make progress on your goals.
Mason junior Nathaniel Zadu set his sights on a specific goal and didn't give up until he attained it - an internship at JPMorgan Chase. His story is about how he reframed rejection and developed a mindset of strength and resiliency. He continued to show up for himself. He kept going after opportunities, attending networking events, and marketing himself.
Get his advice on how to stay focused and keep going during a process that can often feel overwhelming or discouraging.
Name: Nathaniel Zadu
Class: 2021
Industry: Business
Major: Information systems and operations management
Class: 2021
Industry: Business
Major: Information systems and operations management
Q: Describe your position:
A: I interned at JPMorgan Chase & Co. last summer as a Global Finance and Business Management analyst. I was interested in JPMorgan Chase because of its reputation as the largest bank in America as well as the efforts made within diversity and inclusion.
I found out about this opportunity my freshman year when my sister told me a few friends had experience with the company and they sent me a link to apply. I continued to apply since my freshman year and finally got an opportunity to interview. Unfortunately, I did not get the position then, but I applied once more and got another opportunity to interview and finally received an offer.
I found out about this opportunity my freshman year when my sister told me a few friends had experience with the company and they sent me a link to apply. I continued to apply since my freshman year and finally got an opportunity to interview. Unfortunately, I did not get the position then, but I applied once more and got another opportunity to interview and finally received an offer.
Q: How does your position fit into your long term career goals?
A: My position allowed me to really understand how a large corporation runs and what is needed for an organization to be successful. I also learned the dynamics of different leadership styles and what works best when leading a large team.
Q: How did you make yourself stand out during your position/job search process?
A:
- I made sure to attend countless professional events and workshops in and outside of school to develop myself
- Built my network with LinkedIn: I used LinkedIn to connect with professionals in fields I had interests in
- I made sure to use my authentic story and Eritrean background to connect with employers while interviewing.
Q: What did you find to be the most helpful during your internship/job search process?
A: I found most helpful was realizing that every opportunity I didn’t receive was for a reason and there was a higher purpose behind every rejection. Once I came to this realization I then developed the mindset of no matter what happens during this process that in the end, I will be successful. This process comes with a lot of hardships and lessons but once I stopped worrying and continued applying everything came along much easier.
Q: How many applications did you submit before attaining this position?
A: 5
Q: Do you have any tips or advice to share with other students about your experience?
A:
- Always think about the future! It’s important to have fun while you’re young but planning for the future is essential. Our college years are some of the most important years to really focus and figure out what kind of life you want to be living in the future
- It’s never too early to plan and you should never shy away from asking for help regarding planning for your future
- There are countless resources available to you but it is up to you to use them.
- I also advise other students to share their wisdom from others ahead of their journey
If Nathaniel's story inspired you to be persistent with your career goals, don't miss Career Launch 2020. This series of virtual workshops will be focused on job search and career progress strategies in the age of COVID-19. Employers, recruiters, and career counselors will be discussing topics like hiring trends and how to network while social distancing. Get the details in Handshake and register for each session today!
University Career Services celebrates the journey of career building. Our vision is to make big dreams an attainable reality. Do you have a career success story to share? Submit your story to get featured in our news!