Meet Tradeweb’s 2023 U.S. Summer Interns
For many interns, starting an internship can be a daunting experience, especially if it’s your first time working in a corporate environment. You’re meeting new people, juggling multiple projects at once and learning the ins and outs of your company – all while adjusting to a 9-5 schedule!
Despite these challenges, internships can be incredibly rewarding. They allow you to gain valuable work experience, grow your professional network and explore different areas of interest. At Tradeweb, we strive to create an environment where our interns feel motivated and inspired to innovate, collaborate and learn new skills.
With only a few more weeks left of Tradeweb’s U.S. Summer Internship Program, we sat down with four Tradeweb U.S. interns to get their insights and thoughts around their internship experience so far. Here’s what they had to say:
What is your name, school and area of study?
Lily: Lily Zucker, Emory University; Sociology and History
Benjamin: Benjamin Chombe, Bethune-Cookman University; Finance
Chika: Chika Otisi, CUNY Brooklyn College; Computer Science
Emily: Emily Lee, Harvey Mudd College; Computer Science
What project are you currently working on?
Chika: I'm on the Quality Assurance (QA) team, and I am working on the tool that will be used to shift the firm away from the Dealerweb Release Management Team legacy graphical user interface (GUI); the tool will help gather information from various sources and more accurately report data.
Emily: I’m on the Market Data Operations team. I am currently developing a tool for validating Tradeweb Messages, which is aimed to be used as a quality assurance tool to effectively ensure accuracy and reliability of these messages.
Lily: I am on the Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) team, and I am researching the merits of creating a foundation to further support Tradeweb’s ESG efforts. This project has helped me develop my research, PowerPoint, and public speaking skills. I have also been working on other projects such as compiling data for Tradeweb’s annual Corporate Sustainability Report, planning events for Tradeweb’s upcoming Week of Service in September, and evaluating Tradeweb’s website and social media platforms to ensure we are communicating our global ESG efforts and corporate culture in an effective, meaningful way.
Benjamin: I am on the Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) team, and I’m currently compiling a SWOT and competitive analysis on competing financial technology vendors and platforms in the mortgage-backed securities and securitized product space.
What new skills have you learned during your time at Tradeweb so far?
Lily: I’ve gained a wide variety of universal business skills. My manager and other peers share office best practices and taught me how to use Excel and create and deliver corporate presentations. I’ve also gained confidence in my business knowledge and developed a clearer understanding of the role ESG plays in the broader industry.
Emily: I have learned many different technical skills in program development while designing and building a new QA tool for my team. Additionally, through developing parsers and various scripts alongside this project, I have gained experience in tackling different programming challenges in a fast-paced environment.
Chika: I've learned new technologies that are integral to any tech business. For example, I’ve learned how to use Jira for project management and Agile as a framework for software development.
Benjamin: I have gained a broader understanding of Tradeweb’s products across fixed income, derivatives and equities as well as our client offerings across the Retail, Institutional, and Wholesale businesses. Through working with the MBS team, I’ve learned how different trades and trade types are executed on our platform to help clients accomplish multiple trading strategies such as indexing and managing portfolio duration. I have also been able to witness and learn firsthand the importance of strong communication and relationship building with clients and other teams you are working with.
What has surprised you the most about Tradeweb’s summer internship program?
Benjamin: The work environment. This is my first time working in a corporate environment and as much as everyone is working hard and taking their jobs seriously, they are also very welcoming and kind. I was surprised to learn about some of the different paths that people have taken to end up at Tradeweb which has been very encouraging.
Chika: The company culture! The businesses, senior management and leadership are very open and easy to talk to.
Lily: I didn’t expect to be given the chance to participate in essentially all meetings that occurred within my department or to be involved in projects that could truly impact Tradeweb’s business. I really feel that my work is actually helping the company and does not just consist of scrap jobs to keep an intern occupied.
Emily: From the hands-on experience that I get from projects, to the intern presentations and Meet and Greets with senior leadership, it surprised me how much I am able to learn about the many different facets of Tradeweb through this program.
How has Tradeweb’s summer internship program helped you grow personally and professionally?
Emily: This program has helped me grow my technical skills and general industry knowledge. I have also found the breakfast chats with executive members to be highly engaging; their personal anecdotes and advice are truly valuable.
Benjamin: It has been great speaking to the employees and executives at Tradeweb and having them share their journeys with us. I have also learned how to approach people, how to ask for help and how to work more efficiently.
Chika: Tradeweb has connected me with fellow interns as well as full-time employees who come from various parts of the world, exposing me to people from diverse backgrounds, which has broadened my perspective and has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I have also learned new technology which has helped refine my skills as a developer.
Lily: As someone who never saw themselves entering the corporate world, the Tradeweb internship program has made this path feel much more realistic for my future. Tradeweb provides a safe environment and engaging work that allows me to explore various career options.
If you could describe Tradeweb’s culture in three words, what would they be?
Lily: Open, Happy, Comfortable.
Benjamin: Welcoming, Supportive, Fun.
Chika: Intelligent, Driven, Open.
Emily: Enriching, Dynamic, Collaborative!
What’s your favorite thing about interning in Tradeweb’s NYC and Jersey City offices?
Chika: The flexibility of working from home or in the office. When I'm in the Jersey City office, I'm able to get in the zone and get work done while also bond and communicate with co-workers.
Emily: The amazing view, at the Jersey City office I’m able to look out the window and see Lady Liberty and the boats on the Hudson River!
Lily: I love interning in the NYC office because of the in-person option that helped me form wonderful friendships with members of my intern class and strong networks with employees in the office.
Benjamin: Just seeing how much NYC has to offer and explore. There are so many nice food places and cool landmarks all over the city. You can also meet so many people from different walks of life, which I love.
What’s your favorite restaurant nearby?
Benjamin: Brooklyn Chophouse.
Lily: Blue Ribbon Sushi, they serve amazing sushi and poke in the mall under Rockefeller Center.
Chika: Hudson and Co.- great steaks.
Emily: Empanada Mamas (get their green sauce)!
What book are you currently reading / what podcast are you listening to?
Lily: I am currently reading The Hunger Games series in preparation for the new movie coming out in November! I don’t often listen to podcasts, but every now and then this summer I have listened to The Daily from The New York Times.
Chika: I’m currently reading The Art of UNIX Programming by Eric S. Raymond.
Emily: I’m currently reading Ikigai and Sapiens. The podcasts I listen to are Science Vs and Unexplainable.
Benjamin: I’m listening to the Earn Your Leisure podcast with Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings.
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