What was the recruitment process like?
I’m interested in pursuing a career in behavioral economics and business management consulting. That’s why IE University connected me with Neovantas and I sent my CV right away. I later had an interview with their HR team about my background and future plans, which extended to conversations with several Neovantas employees. They explained the culture of the company, the work and the overall environment. Once they were satisfied of my knowledge of behavioral economics, I was offered the internship.
Can you tell us about the types of projects you worked on during your internship?
I’ve had the chance to take part in projects of all sizes, which allowed me to learn how to use behavioral science in various ways to obtain different results. My first project at Neovantas was with a debt collection management business, where our goal was to enhance client communications by encouraging payment and cutting down on consumer debt. My second—and largest—project was related to security and alarms. Unlike the first project, which was end-to-end behavioral economics, this project included providing additional support to a larger speech analytics project. Our focus was on optimizing the retention model, identifying the variables that most impact the retention process and applying a behavioral lens to our project analysis. They were in completely different sectors, with different clients and problems.
What would you consider the highlight of that experience?
The experience was a valuable deep-dive into what a premier consulting firm looks like. Both internal assignments and client work have allowed me to gain a better understanding of the practical applications of behavioral science in business environments. During my internship, I gained new skills in management consulting, preparing and delivering presentations and developing relationships with coworkers and clients. It certainly contributed to my professional growth as I learned about how business is conducted in the real world, as opposed to the more academic knowledge I had been taught in the classroom. Personally, my desire to get further immersed in the field of behavioral science—and of behavioral economics in particular—has only grown.
How do you think you benefited from your internship?
My skills have definitely evolved as a result of it. For example, I’ve developed a greater capacity for idea generation and concept generation, a stronger ability to work well as part of a team and an overall increase in proactivity. I feel better prepared to take on new opportunities in my professional life. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue my studies so that I can work on landing my ideas. After all, this is a lifelong learning process.
Speaking of your professional life, what are your future career aspirations?
This internship with Neovantas has made me realize that behavioral economics is what I truly want to pursue in the future. Not only do I feel motivated to continue pursuing my studies and specializing in this field, I’m also inspired to pursue a career in consulting. With the knowledge I’ve gained and the ability to further my education, I feel prepared to tackle new projects related to the fascinating subject of behavioral science.
Do you have any tips or advice for other students applying for an internship?
My advice is to be proactive. Research the companies you’re interested in interning with and check if they offer structured internship programs—and contact them even if they don’t!
Not only do I feel motivated to continue pursuing my studies and specializing in this field, I’m also inspired to pursue a career in consulting.