LOLA CHIZA - COMPLETING AN INTERNSHIP: 5 POINTS

 

This past summer, I completed an internship in the Compliance Department at Bessemer Trust, a private wealth management firm that serves high-net-worth clients. During my time there, I gained a deeper understanding of how compliance professionals help maintain the integrity of financial institutions by ensuring that all practices follow federal regulations and ethical standards. A key takeaway from this experience was how essential compliance is in protecting both the firm and its clients. It challenged my previous perception of compliance as just “rule-following” and showed me that it’s really about creating systems that promote fairness, accountability, and trust within the financial industry.

On a personal level, this internship helped me grow in professionalism, attention to detail, and analytical thinking. I learned how to interpret complex policies, conduct risk assessments, and communicate findings clearly and effectively. More importantly, I discovered that I enjoy problem-solving in structured, high-stakes environments—something that aligns closely with my interest in pursuing a career in law.

Moving forward, I plan to apply what I learned at Bessemer Trust to real-world situations by approaching challenges with integrity, precision, and a focus on ethical decision-making. Whether in legal practice or another professional setting, the lessons I gained about compliance, accountability, and critical thinking will continue to guide how I approach my work and the impact I hope to make.