A Life-Changing Summer with Greenwood Project
Written by Mia Martinez
My name is Mia Martinez, and I am currently in my fourth year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying Community Health and minoring in Public Health and Health Administration. During my time at the University of Illinois, I have developed a passion for reducing health disparities.
The Greenwood Project was an amazing experience I will never forget. Every day, I stepped outside of my comfort zone with the elevator pitch, and the stock pitch was a life-changing experience I recommend to every young person who has the opportunity.
I have gained the confidence and courage to speak in front of large crowds, particularly executives and higher-ups, and make my voice heard in a room full of people from all backgrounds. My experience at the Greenwood Project was like being part of a family, where everyone helped each other to grow and learn. The Greenwood project was my first exposure to finance and the stock market. I am now capable of discussing these specific topics concerning the markets, investments, and careers in the financial industry after completing my internship.
We asked Mia a few questions about her experience with Greenwood Project this summer.
Q: What did you enjoy the most about the program?
My experience with the program was enjoyable because of the networking opportunities and the chance to explore career paths outside of my major. The daily lunch and learn events with companies were enjoyable, and I wished we had more time to talk with industry professionals. The opportunity to meet so many students from across the country was also a great experience for me, and many of us have now become great friends.
Q: After your summer Greenwood project, how large is your professional network?
At the beginning of this summer, I had 15 LinkedIn connections and ended the summer with 312. In my opinion, one of the most valuable things that I was able to take away from the summer was the extensive amount of networking that we were able to do. There is no doubt that Greenwood helps students develop social capital in an effective and efficient way.
Q: If you had to give yourself feedback, where do you feel you excelled during the program?
I found the Training The Street platform quite helpful as someone not majoring in finance. To fully comprehend the concepts we learned in class, I practiced them at home and before class the next day. I am also very proud of myself for taking the time to be open to learning so much new material so quickly. I am also very proud of myself for taking the time to be open to learning so much new material so quickly.
Q: What was your internship experience like at CoBank in Denver, CO?
I worked at CoBank in Denver, Colorado, in the operations department, responsible for revising procedures for the customer service associates and the leasing department. Additionally, I was able to create loan management cases for distribution to different departments within the bank. Also, I sat in on Robotic Processing Automation testing (RPA), another newly implemented system that helps the bank improve customer satisfaction and reduce customer wait times
As a result of my involvement with the Greenwood Project, I have developed an interest in pursuing careers that involve the intersection of finance and health. Thank you Greenwood Project for an unforgettable experience!
Mia Martinez - GP Class of 2022