Devin Mar '27 (Finance) Finance Intern

Devin Mar '27 (Finance) was a Finance Intern at Whirlpool Corporation in Hong Kong

What did you find most challenging about your internship? 

What I found the most challenging about my internship was the amount of AI use and systems that are allowed here. While I use AI occasionally at university, I did not realize how open workers were to AI there. Both higher-ups and employees were very enthusiastic about AI and there is a rapid adoption of AI within the workspaces in Asia. Getting used to using AI as a tool in the majority of my work was a learning curve, but this internship has helped me be more informed and more experienced in how to use different models. I will be able to take back my skills for my final year of college as well as throughout the rest of my career to become more efficient and effective in my work.

If you worked on a big project during your internship, please describe what you did to help.

During my internship, I developed a company-wide presentation focused on the global adoption of AI and its practical application across various business departments. I proposed strategic integration plans for Gemini and NotebookLM to boost workflow efficiency at Whirlpool. To illustrate these concepts, I benchmarked four leading companies and created mock case studies demonstrating how Whirlpool could implement similar AI solutions within its own operations. I concluded the presentation with guidelines on the safe and ethical use of AI, aiming to support employees regardless of their previous experience with these tools. By bridging this knowledge gap, the presentation provided value to both AI-proficient staff and those new to the technology.

What advice do you have for other students that are also considering interning abroad?

My advice to other students that are considering interning abroad is to intentionally make the most of your weekdays after work. After a standard 9-6 workday, it is easy to feel exhausted and retreat to the comfort of your room to doomscroll, but doing so means missing out on the city you traveled so far to experience. Instead, commit to treating your evenings as an opportunity for discovery. During my time in Hong Kong, I made it a priority to use my weeknights to try a new local cuisine with a coworker, go for a run to see different neighborhoods, explore vibrant night markets, join locals in the park for pickup games, or attend unique local events like horse racing. Embracing this mindset transforms your internship from just a work experience into a full cultural immersion, ensuring you leave with memories far beyond the office.

How did Eller (or your previous coursework) prepare you for your internship?

The BCOM curriculum was crucial in preparing me for this internship, providing a strong foundation in ethical research, professional slide design, and engaging delivery. Upon receiving this high-stakes assignment, I immediately applied those lessons. I rehearsed without a script, continuously refined my slide deck to ensure a logical flow, and focused on projecting confidence through deliberate eye contact, purposeful gestures, and professional posture. BCOM’s teachings went further than just in my research and presentation. It helped me communicate with my coworkers and higher-ups within meetings, at lunch, and just around the workplace. Overall, while many of the classes that I have taken at Eller like finance and accounting have helped me greatly in my tasks at this internship, BCOM is what helps me build strong connections.