UF MBA summer internships: where students are making their mark
This summer, MBA students from the University of Florida are diving into diverse internships that are enhancing their academic journey and providing them with vital industry experience. These aspiring business leaders are applying their skills and knowledge in real-world settings, expanding their professional networks, and positioning themselves for future success in a competitive business landscape.
Discover where some of our UF MBA students are interning, their goals for these experiences, and what they have learned along the way.
Rishi Kale | MBA ‘25
Internship: Technology Rotational Development Program Intern | Bristol Myers Squibb | Princeton, New Jersey
Internship goal: “My goal for my internship at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is to use this hands-on experience working in the biotech industry to expand my technical skills as I pursue becoming a versatile technology leader. I also look forward to gaining an understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and the business units that power it. I am very excited to be working on the AI and Cloud Engineering team this summer at BMS, which is an amazing opportunity to dive deep into generative AI. I plan on bringing a positive attitude all summer and figuring out how I can lead in any project I undertake.”
What I’ve learned from my internship: “First and foremost, I’ve learned great things about the values at Bristol Myers Squibb. Professional development and networking have shined as major values at BMS, as the technology interns were introduced to several alumni of our program who advised us and shared their journeys to key technology leadership roles within BMS. There is also a tremendous spirit of learning and innovation, as BMS team members are constantly looking to learn emerging skills that are becoming impactful in today’s tech world. With respect to the work, I’ve learned a considerable amount about cloud computing, generative AI, and large language models since joining this internship. Just as I had hoped, BMS has afforded me the opportunity to work hands-on with an emerging technology, has challenged me to grow, and given me a very positive impression about pursuing a technology career in pharma. I am incredibly lucky to be working with wonderful people on my team this summer, so very thankful for them!”
Internship: Controllers, Global Risk and Controls, Business Transformation | ExxonMobil | Houston, Texas
Internship goal: “My goal for this internship is to secure a full-time position with ExxonMobil. The role I was given within Risk and Controls is entirely new to me, and ExxonMobil is one of the largest globally integrated companies in the world. I look forward to learning more about financial risk, control processes, compliance, the energy industry and business in general. I come from an entrepreneurial background, and this internship is one of my first extended corporate world experiences. A primary goal for this internship is to gain insight into my future career goals and where I want my future to lead.”
What I’ve learned from my internship: “I am on the SOX Modernization and Reporting team within the Controllers organization. In detail, I learned the objectives, requirements, management certifications and compliance details of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation passed in response to corporate scandals of the early 2000s. I understand the function control processes play in mitigating risk, achieving goals and implementing culture within a corporation. My experiences have confirmed my intentions of securing a full-time position at ExxonMobil. The people I’ve met and the work I’ve done have offered new perspectives and understandings that will pay dividends long into my future in all aspects of life.”
Samuel Abbott | MBA ’25
Internship: Central FP&A MBA Intern | United Airlines | Chicago, IL
Internship Goal: “My goal for the summer is to immerse myself within a financial planning and analysis team and learn as much as I can about the FP&A realm. I don’t have a corporate finance background, so I expected my experience at United Airlines to educate me on that type of career. Another goal of mine was to take advantage of the free standby perks United offers interns! So far, I have been able to spend weekends in Edinburgh, Mexico City, and New York City. Sao Paulo is next!”
What I’ve learned from my internship: “As an intern, I am being tasked with creating cash expenditure forecasts for aspects of United’s airport operations. Through this project and others, I am not only learning about how United Airlines operates, but about how dynamic the airline industry is as a whole. Due to being in an industry subject to the whims of consumer appetites and macroeconomic events, United Airlines has to have a robust financial planning team to aid in perfecting a business strategy that will succeed in all kinds of environments. It has been a privilege to apply concepts and models I learned in my MBA classes to aid United in achieving this goal. Before recruiting for internships, working in the aviation industry was not on my radar, but due to my time at United, I can see myself pivoting not only to a career in finance, but working for an airline as well.”
Dante Feliciano | MBA ’25 
Internship: Senior Brand Manager | Procter & Gamble – Gillette | Boston, MA
Internship Goal: “I hope this internship continues to teach me how to apply the various skills I’ve obtained during the first year of the UF MBA program to a formal corporate setting. My main goals in this internship are to learn as much as possible about impactful brand building, to grow my professional network, and to have fun while doing it by exploring a new city!”
What I’ve learned from my internship: “I’ve learned a lot about working cross-functionally with my peers and leaders to deliver strong business results. I’ve also learned about P&G’s culture of caring and genuine desire to ensure all their employees feel appreciated, confident, and excited about their work experience. Most importantly, I’ve been given the capacity to learn and understand my own strengths and opportunities with pathways for continued personal growth. This internship experience will send me home with a renewed confidence and excitement that will serve to further my academic success.”
