Verenisse Villarino '26 FSO Launch Intern

Verenisse Villarino '26 (Accounting) was a FSO Launch Intern at EY in San Francisco, CA.

For housing, I subleased my friend’s apartment since she goes to college in San Francisco, which made the process much easier than trying to find short-term housing on my own. For transportation, EY provided access to the EY WOW fund, which reimburses up to $500 of transportation costs per year. I was able to use the full amount over the summer, so all of my transportation costs were covered. 

What was the process for getting this internship, job, or summer experience? 

I was first connected to my school’s EY recruiter through my amazing freshman-year accounting 200 professor, Sherri Silverberg. She was like my wingman at a career fair and personally introduced me to the recruiter. From there, I received the link to apply specifically for the San Francisco office and submitted my application. About a week later, I got a call to schedule two interviews, which went really well. After about two to three weeks of waiting, I received the exciting call that I had been accepted for the internship. 

What was your favorite part of the experience?

My favorite part of the experience was definitely the connections I made. At the beginning of the summer, all of the Launch interns from across the country went to Atlanta for training, and I built close friendships there that I still have to this day. I also made great friends in the San Francisco office and was able to build a strong professional network. It's the friendships and professional connections I built that made the summer such a meaningful experience.

What did you find most challenging?

The most challenging part for me at the beginning was dealing with impostor syndrome. Everything was new to me, from the work to the people to the environment, and it made me question whether I truly belonged. At first, I worried about not being smart enough, but over time I gained confidence by asking questions, learning from my team, and reminding myself that I was there for a reason.

What advice do you have for other students looking for a similar experience, or advice for future students to be successful?

I would say never underestimate the power of networking. Start building connections at school, even with professors. My internship was only possible because of the genuine relationship I built with Sherri. Once you’re in the internship, networking is just as important. Focus on meaningful networking where you actually take the time to build relationships. It is always about quality over quantity, and those genuine connections will have the biggest impact on your experience and possible future opportunities.

How did Eller prepare you for this experience?

Eller gave me a strong foundation for this internship. The accounting classes helped me build the technical knowledge I needed, and classes like BCOM strengthened my presentation and communication skills, which I found very useful during my internship. Eller also provided me with resources and opportunities to develop skills that go beyond the classroom, such as professionalism and working effectively with others.