Summer internships give students competitive advantage

For Freeman students, summer is no time for vacations.

Instead, BSM students spent the summer test driving their dream jobs through internships at companies nationwide. From New Orleans to New York, they put classroom concepts into action, working side-by-side with professionals to gain hands-on training in their fields. 

Sarah Covert, director of operations and career development at Freeman’s Center for Career Management, said today’s employers typically only hire graduates with some level of professional experience.

“Students can gain experience through on-campus leadership, class projects and part-time jobs, but internships provide a unique opportunity for the true on-the-job training employers want to see,” she says.  “We find that after they complete internships, students are better able to speak the language of their industry, and they come away with a better sense of what professional employment int their field looks like.”

This summer, Freeman students received job offers after interning at companies including Amazon, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Blackrock, Citi, Jefferies, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley.

Read on to learn more about three Freeman students’ internship experiences in real estate, finance, and legal services. 

Abe Friedland (BSM ’26) worked as an asset management analyst at Brookfield Properties, a global real estate management company based in New York. During his internship, Friedland evaluated the current and future strategic positions of Brookfield Properties’ New York office and recommended adjustments in dispositions, acquisitions, leasing and construction. 

“My team ensured each building was optimally positioned to maximize both near-term and long-term returns,” Friedland said.

In evaluating Brookfield’s properties, Friedland drew on the technical skills he learned during his business school classes. 

“I've taken three courses in Excel at Freeman, and they really set me apart from the other interns,” he said. “If you are looking to go into real estate in any capacity, taking AJ Brooks' Finance 4010 class is a must.” 

By the end of his time with Brookfield Properties, Friedland had gained a thorough understanding of property valuation—and a supportive network of peers. 

 “While I entered the role with little understanding of how to value space, I left knowing how to evaluate office blocks, identify the tenants who could maximize their use and structure leases that created win-win outcomes,” he said. “Doing this work, I met lots of other interns from different schools. We spent a lot of time together while we worked and got really close.”

Zach Turbin (BSM ’26) spent his summer at Janney Montgomery Scott, a financial services firm in New Orleans. 

Turbin said that even before he arrived at Janney’s offices, he felt ready to take on the role. As a student in Peter Ricchiuti’s Burkenroad Reports class, Turbin had practiced researching and drafting analyst reports for a small Gulf South firm. That experience translated directly to his internship, where, as an equity research intern, he compiled financial market evaluations, conducted three-statement modeling and participated in investor calls.

Reflecting on what it was like to apply his Freeman education to the world of business, Turbin shared one important lesson: “Preparation is key. You can never be overprepared.”

Sophie Brandman (BSM/SLA ’27) worked as a summer clerk at a private legal defense firm in New York City, where she summarized legal documents including medical records, deposition transcripts and expert reports. Working in tandem with the firm’s lawyers, she had the chance to draft and proofread legal documents, including authorization demands, notices for demand and inspection and client correspondence.

Bradman said her internship experience allowed her to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. 

“The analytical process I used for my summary reports at the law firm were strikingly similar to the process I used to respond to questions on my exams in my Legal Studies course,” she said. “Working at the law firm showed me that even outside of class strong writing skills are essential for success, as nearly every assignment required me to read complex records and distill key information into clear, concise summaries.”

Bradman encourages current and future Freeman students to take advantage of any internship that comes their way. “Make the most of it. Even positions that may seem more administrative come with challenges and provide valuable ways to learn about the field. Getting accustomed to the language and problem-solving techniques in your chosen industry is educational regardless of the position, and any exposure to the field is good exposure.”