NDBT’s annual college summer internship program includes the opportunity for students to experience and learn the various roles within the bank. During their session with NDBT’s MarCom (marketing/communications) department, this summer’s four interns were asked to share their thoughts on why spending a college summer interning is an important step towards a student’s future.
NDBT Intern ’25
Texas A&M University
After a year of college classes, the last thing you are thinking of doing is sitting at a desk and working all summer. But in my opinion, a summer internship can be the best thing for you.
In an ever-increasing digital world, soft skills are disappearing quickly. Things as simple as how you greet your co-workers influence how you are perceived in the workplace. More than ever before, the largest factor in differentiating yourself might be your soft skills. Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that allow a person to interact effectively with others. Common examples of soft skills are how you greet people and carry yourself at work.
A simple example I can provide you with is showing up to work early. There is an advantage to showing up early, even if it may not be a material reward. You are perceived differently in the office, especially if you are early and prepared for the work environment before everyone else. This isn’t a skill; it’s an action you must carry out.
In my opinion, internships are a better learning environment than a traditional school environment. I can summarize the difference in a conversation I had with my boss during the first week of my internship. She said she was a perfectionist at school, always striving to get straight A’s. It’s stressful as a student. Compare this to the work environment, where there is no grade, just the work. How many times have you heard a professor say, “Don’t worry about your grade in the class, focus on learning the material”? This is probably the most annoying thing a professor or teacher can say to you. My response will always be the same: If I should focus on learning, then why are you giving me a grade on my ability to learn? It makes no sense.
The importance of experience, finding the right role for you, is crucial, as you will spend much of your life at work. When I was a freshman in college, the best advice I ever got was to think of internships as a way of getting experience in a role before taking a full-time job. You aren’t committed to anything in an internship; you can always pick another role afterward. Sometimes internships offer rotational programs. These are a great way to get exposure to a whole bunch of different departments. You might just be a fit for marketing, even though you thought you were supposed to be in accounting.
In my opinion, internships are a better learning environment than a traditional school environment.
NDBT Intern Kiyan Phelps in conversation with Sam Gunn, a lender in the NDBT Dallas Banking Center
NDBT Intern ’25
Texas Tech University
In today’s job market, most entry level positions are going to those that already have work experience. In a world where “at least 2 years of experience” is required, hands on work is your best friend. It is so important to work in your designated industry (in my case- finance) to find your niche and what you are good at. It also gives you a pretty good idea of what you like/don’t like, which is always a plus.
I found NDBT through a post from my sorority Facebook group and decided to throw my hat in the ring. I’ve never taken a banking class but knew some fundamentals through my time at a factoring firm. My major studies are probably more tailored to the trust and wealth management department, as my curriculum is basically CFP exam preparation. However, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new, and I am so glad I did. Learning hands on what it is like to step into each vital role in the bank so far has been a dream. I have seen just how many moving parts it takes to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. I have also seen how each person’s role affects other’s roles.
Learning hands-on allows you to see just how your own performance can affect others, and how everyone’s contribution is all for the same benefit. Working even at the entry level position, say Credit Analyst 1, is still a gear that is moving in the machine. How you choose to perform affects the machine. It is important for the new generation to see exactly how their role can impact and influence those around them. Right now, my job is to learn and to be present. It is to ask questions and gain real tangible skills and knowledge.
Working in college, even part time, is a great way to discover exactly what you want to do. The beauty of a college job is that you can leave when the semester is over if you hate working there. Working hands-on in college also lets you figure out what work environment you’d like to be in. I was in an office where nobody talked to each other, and it was the most boring 20 hours of my week. I’ve also worked in an office where we had way too much conversation to the point, I had to find ways (headphones) to get my work done.
To tie this into a bow, the importance of working in college is for soft skills and to figure out what YOU want. To get some experience into your desired field, to find out if you even like your desired field. Along the way, chances are you’ll pick up skills and knowledge that you can use anywhere.
Learning hands-on allows you to see just how your own performance can affect others, and how everyone’s contribution is all for the same benefit.
NDBT Intern Caroline Dwight working at her desk in the Dallas Banking Center
Texas A&M University
Entering my twenties, I felt a deep sense of fear as I approached one of the most important decades of my life. With graduation just two years away, the pressure to choose a career path loomed large. Despite sitting through countless business classes, I still had no clear sense of what I was passionate about or could envision doing long-term. That uncertainty pushed me to seek real-world experience because I realized the only way to gain clarity, and confidence was through hands-on exposure. That’s why I applied for an internship at NDBT!
When I landed the position, I was both excited and nervous. My understanding of banking barely extended beyond the basics. But during the first five weeks at NDBT, my perspective completely shifted. I’ve come to see banking as a multifaceted industry, full of passionate professionals dedicated not just to finance, but to people and community impact.
Throughout my internship, I’ve rotated through various departments, met incredibly kind and knowledgeable individuals, and finally connected classroom concepts to real-world practice. I’ve learned everything from writing loan memos to understanding how lenders build lasting relationships across generations. These experiences have been pivotal. Without them, I’d likely still feel directionless searching for passion and purpose without knowing where to begin.
This internship has helped ease my anxiety about the future. It’s shown me that the path forward doesn’t have to be figured out overnight, it just needs to start with a step. And for any college student struggling to choose a career, I can’t emphasize this enough, apply for internships. They offer invaluable insight and can reveal paths you may never have considered. An internship isn’t just a resume booster, but it’s a window into your potential future. Take the leap because you might just find exactly what you’ve been looking for!
These experiences have been pivotal. Without them, I’d likely still feel directionless searching for passion and purpose without knowing where to begin.
NDBT Interns Leela Oommen and Vijay Venkatesan volunteering with a community non-profit partner
NDBT Intern ’25
Texas A&M University
“How do you want your future to go?” That’s a question my father had asked me almost every day as a grade schooler and early in college when I would be sitting at home watching TV or playing video games, when he came back home from work. I hadn’t really shown much initiative to get out of my comfort zones and explore possibilities for what I could or would be doing when I finished my education. I had to realize that my future would be shaped by what I do now.
Having just completed my senior year at Texas A&M and being enrolled in the Commercial Banking Program, I have been given the amazing opportunity to stay another year to complete my master’s degree and get to participate in the wonderful internship program here at NDBT. This is my first internship, and the way that it is formatted, it doesn’t feel like I’ve lost much time compared to my peers that have been doing a lot more over the years since we’re exposed to so much at this bank. The people are wonderful and very knowledgeable and there are so many departments that we get to rotate throughout and learn about that I feel accomplished every day when I go back home.
We got our start with the credit analyst group, which, in hindsight, was a great place to begin to learn about the ins and outs of community banking. We learned to understand that the analysts can learn almost everything about the customer and the loans that the lenders bring in and figure out if they are financially sound enough to fund their project. Figuring out how to analyze financial statements, credit reports, and tax returns helped build a picture of the operation of the bank. Next, we got to shadow lenders at different bank branches. I enjoyed this time getting to understand the customer facing side of the loan process, which filled in more of the picture. The loan process starts with the lender to get a deal going, the analysts figure out if they are worth the bank’s money, and the executives vote on passing them or not at loan committee meetings. There is also the credit operations and loan operations group that help a lot with maintaining the credits, which tend to go unseen but are a particularly important aspect of the big picture of the loan process. We also got to meet up with the data analytics and marcom departments for brief but valuable introductions. The data analytics team ensures the bank has a database to complete all operations within and secure and helps keep everyone connected. The MarCom group is able to brand and expose NDBT to the right people and bring in valuable business.
Us interns have been able to see and learn a lot and been able to build a deeper perspective in such a short period of time through actual direct experiences. As we reach the end of the internship, I am glad to have been able to meet such great people that want you to learn and achieve the most you can. I am excited to see what the future holds as I continue my journey and advance my career.
(We've) been able to build a deeper perspective in such a short period of time through actual direct experiences.
NDBT Intern Vijay Venkatesan working with NDBT credit department bankers
