Discover 2022 Interns Share Their Goals and Learnings
Courtney
E-Business: Digital User Experience Intern
Riverwoods, IL
Pronouns: She/Her
My favorite part about my role is it allows me to think outside of the box, creatively and strategically. I get to make recommendations based on what I think can help improve the ease of access of discover.com.
I believe that I am someone who is always ready to innovate or come up with new ideas. I enjoy creating solutions to make a positive difference.
One piece of advice I live by is “don’t be afraid to take on new opportunities.” There have been times where I would scare myself out of taking on new opportunities because I think too much of the “what if.” However, I try to get myself out of that mindset and think more about all the wonderful things that could come about from those prospects.
Sarah
Strategic Leadership MBA Intern – Rewards & Product Strategy
Riverwoods/The 606
Pronouns: She/Her
There is a viral video voiceover that goes “I can go with the flow, but what time does the flow start?” This sums me up pretty well because I’d say I’m a pretty relaxed person, but I’m also very punctual and organized.
When I was a kid, I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to work with numbers. I always enjoyed math, but didn’t quite have an idea what types of roles were available for people who liked to work with numbers (other than accounting). As I’ve grown and gained more professional experience, I’ve learned that the type of roles I enjoy still involve using numbers but doing so in a way that tells a story. More specifically, I like using numbers to tell a story of consumer behavior and describing what drives consumer choice.
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” resonates with me. Growth happens when you’re uncomfortable. This is very applicable to me in my internship because I’m learning so much and it’s often pretty uncomfortable to be in this new environment with all new peers who are so knowledgeable, but as I learn more each day, the level of discomfort lessens.
David
Graduate Data and Analytics Intern
Riverwoods, IL
Pronouns: He/Him
I feel at my best when I am confident and driving towards the things I desire/want. I am working on evolving my effective leadership skills. I would like to be a leader in the future as part of my career growth. I am evolving by watching and learning from my direct leaders.
My favorite part of my internship currently is the potential impact of my project on my team’s operations. I am working on things that are of use to Discover’s strategy, which is great, and additional source of motivation.
I live by the phrase “do what makes you happy.” By doing what brings my happiness, I am genuinely content with where I am, and I stay confident about just how far I can go. When I was younger, I wanted to be a professional soccer player—but here I am coding and doing analytics! I can’t complain, though. I’m winning either way.
Kyla
Data & Analytics Intern
Riverwoods, IL
Pronouns: She/Her
I hope when people get to know me, they associate me with hard work. My parents have always been role models for me in that aspect. I really hope people take notice when I ask for more work, or when I reach out to schedule meetings and ask questions when I don’t understand. I hope they recognize the effort I’m putting in to learn and grow in the short nine weeks I’m here, because that will make all the difference.
I love the Discover culture. Everyone I’ve met so far has been so kind and open with me. Every single person I’ve tried to schedule a coffee chat with has made time in their schedule and made it a priority to meet with me and answer all my questions. I’ve truly been blown away by the level of enthusiasm everyone has here and how kind everyone is to each other.
The most important thing that I’ve learned so far is that no one begins an entry-level position knowing everything they will need to know immediately. Entry-level positions and internships are for learning and growing. It’s more than okay to not have all the answers right off the bat, and that’s why it’s so important to ask lots of questions and remain confident in yourself even when you get ‘imposter syndrome.’ At the end of the day, no one knows exactly what they’re doing 100% of the time, so it’s okay to feel a little lost sometimes.
Joe
Software Development Intern
Riverwoods, IL
Pronouns: He/Him
I am working on becoming a more adventurous person. Growing up, my struggles with social anxiety caused me to miss out on a lot of fun and memorable experiences. As I’ve gotten older and more capable of overcoming those issues, I’ve realized that I want to pack in as many experiences as I can in the time I’ve been given. I am constantly trying to challenge myself to say yes to opportunities even though they are new or unfamiliar and I’ve had some great experiences as a result—including this internship!
I think my biggest level up moment was getting this internship because it was the first time that I had ever went out and gotten something completely on my own. I had no outside help or connections; I simply wanted the job, so I went out and got it. This felt like a big “level up” moment for me because it marked my first real achievement in the adult world. In addition, it was the first time I accomplished something that was directly related to my career, which felt like a huge milestone. This moment proved to me that I can enter this new world on my own and that all the work I have put in leading up to now has adequately prepared me to be successful.
