Student View: Interning at JPMorganChase

Danielle is a Senior at MSU studying Human Resource Management with minors in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Leadership of Organizations. Following graduation, she will relocate to the New York Metro area to begin her full-time role as an HR Analyst in JPMorganChase’s Human Resources Analyst Development Program (HRADP).

Day-in-the-Life

I never thought I would live in New York City. 

I’ve lived in the suburbs my whole life and was comfortable there. When the opportunity came along to live in New York City on my own while also interning for one of the world’s largest financial institutions, I knew it would be an unforgettable experience.  

This summer, I joined our Employee Success Team where I learned about change management, go-to-market strategy, and the role HR plays in driving successful organizational change. This team partners with each HR function to help launch their new initiatives and support employees through change. Seeing HR from a strategic lens was eye-opening for me and I am excited to continue learning. 

On a typical day, I’d take the subway from Manhattan to our office in Jersey City, New Jersey, but I also occasionally worked from our New York office. Once I arrived, I’d always begin by outlining tasks I wanted to accomplish. I have always been a list person and staying organized was critical for balancing many projects and competing priorities. 

Throughout the nine weeks of my internship, I contributed to the launch of a project management site within my team. This site was designed to create a centralized hub for tracking all the initiatives we supported. I regularly met with team members and completed tasks to move the project forward.

A highlight was working on the HRADP Case Study. This was a unique opportunity to see an HR process end-to-end and propose an AI-driven recommendation to enhance it. Presenting our proposal to the firm’s Global HR Operating Committee and other Senior HR Leaders was incredible and a great way to conclude the experience. Because this was an ongoing project, I contributed to our final product through research, connecting with knowledge sources, and putting information together. 

These experiences together gave me a broader understanding of what a future career in HR can look like. I had the chance to step away from core HR functions like recruiting or onboarding, areas I’d had previous exposure to, and see the intersection of HR, strategy, and technology.  

Key Takeaways

AI is here to stay. 

One of my biggest takeaways from my summer was just how quickly AI is becoming part of the workplace. I knew I’d be using AI platforms, but I was surprised by the level of fluency I was expected to have at the start. 

I experimented with AI in many different ways and even designed several AI agents to support day-to-day work. These included tools for reviewing emails, conducting research, and even a data storytelling coach. 

My advice on this is to experiment as well. Look for creative ways to incorporate AI into your schoolwork (as professors allow), clubs, or everyday life. Employers are looking to see that you’ve had exposure to AI and that’s a great thing to highlight on your resume!

Create consistency in a constantly changing environment. 

Things are always changing between new technologies, new classes, or even a new chapter of life. Understanding how to create consistency for myself was important in keeping me grounded through change.

My team was relatively new within the firm and I didn’t have one project I worked on everyday aside from the case study. New assignments could arise at any time and old assignments could change based on new information. While the change kept each day exciting, it also meant I needed to be comfortable with that uncertainty.

To create consistency for myself, I blocked out time on my calendar every Monday to research change management and go-to-market strategy concepts, explore industry best practices, and keep up with general HR business news. I always knew I’d have that time each week even when work was changing. 

Advice for Peers

Never discount or disqualify yourself from an opportunity before trying. 

I never expected to work in HR at JPMorganChase, but I applied for an internship anyway. The same thing has happened throughout my college experience. I never pictured myself becoming a member of the student government, let alone serving as the President of Broad Student Senate last year. Had I not applied for either, I would have missed out on two of the most meaningful opportunities in my college career. Take the chance and try. 

Try different types of internships.

My internships have ranged from a small consulting firm, to a mid-sized construction company, to a global financial institution. Each position was completely different between the work, the people, and the location. I took something valuable from each role and am leaving college with a better understanding of what I want for my career. 

Internships are the perfect time to explore, try new things, and figure out both what you like and don’t like. 

Looking Ahead

I am incredibly excited to return to JPMorganChase after graduation. I am especially excited to continue my career in HR at a time when AI is reshaping the way we work. HR has a critical role to play in helping organizations navigate the future of work and ensure employees are equipped to use the technology. I look forward to seeing how I can contribute to these efforts next year. 

As I head into my final year at Michigan State, I am grateful for all of the mentors, friends, and opportunities that have led me to this point. I’ll be soaking up all the memories and classic MSU experiences one more time before heading to New York for my next chapter. 

Go Green!