Intern Spotlight: Lily Vo

Name: Lily Vo

Major/Minor: Economics/Accounting

Class: Alpha Delta

Position: Financial Analyst Intern

Company: Amazon

Location: Seattle, Washington

Describe your internship in one sentence.

For an internship at Amazon, you must be comfortable with being uncomfortable and be prepared to be given a lot of responsibility that transforms the typical role of an intern to a full timer.

What does your day-to-day look like?

Truthfully, every day is different (which I think makes things interesting) but if I were to describe my day-to-day, it would go something like this. I go into the office, pet a few Amazonian dogs (there are everywhere and so cute!), and check my email and scheduled meetings for the day. At Amazon, you are assigned an intern project so my "day-to-day" activities involve progressing through the project to meet various deadlines. When I am not in meetings or eating lunch, I am typically planning out and executing my project. As you progress through your project, you find a lot of obstacles that will throw you off your trajectory but I think that's the best part of the internship.

What is your favorite part of the company culture?

Amazon is really known for its leadership principles of Ownership and Ambiguity and their culture really stands for that. At most internships, the interns have their work managed or directed by some higher level so interns often doubt their abilities to execute projects on their own (and confidently too!). While I do have to report to my manager, I am given huge tasks without really any instruction and I always find myself asking, "Do you really want me to do that?" because I am "just an intern.” I had to really get comfortable with the fact that you produce your own work and it's all on you to do that. It really adds to the pressure but I think it really prepares you for a full-time job.

How has Delta Sigma Pi prepared you for your internship?

Delta Sigma Pi definitely taught me to be a confident professional. I am constantly in meetings, working with other team members, and presenting deliverables so it is important show that you are an asset to your team. You want not only want to voice your opinions into a discussion but also be confident in yourself to commit and challenge to big ideas.

What is the most valuable takeaway you’ve gained from your internship?

The most valuable takeaway would definitely be to be pro-active. With all this responsibility, there is no other option but to just “go for it.” Don't be shy and have faith in your abilities because the company chose you for a reason. No one is going to hold your hand and make sure everything is okay so you have to take the initiative and ask questions, learn, and be curious!

Do you have any advice for people who want to get into the field of Finance?

For any Financial Analyst role, it is important to not only model out and analyze numbers but also make meaning and build a story behind those numbers. Especially in Finance roles that support Business teams, you have to be ready to explain the finances behind a business strategy and advise them how to improve said strategies for greater success and profitability.

What is your favorite memory of being in the Omicron Sigma chapter of Delta Sigma Pi?

My favorite part of being apart of Omicron Sigma was definitely being apart of a large supportive community. In particular, my pledge brothers. Every milestone of my college career, they were there. First job interview, first cartilage piercing, first concert and music festival. It's easy to say that there were literally there for me at all times. I also really love being around people who are motivated and driven, because you are who you hang out with and I can truthfully say Omicron Sigma pushed me beyond my limits. It's no joke when people say they always see brothers always hang out with other brothers. The bond is really there.

Lily is transferring to UCLA next fall. We wish her all the best and hope she continues to grow at her dream college!