An Internship Experience Built for What’s Next

While many students seek out internships in places they have never been, Mark Chambers chose a different path. He had many opportunities for his summer placement, but ultimately chose an assignment with EY in Pittsburgh, near where he grew up.

This decision offered an unexpected opportunity to focus. “Trying to do a couple of months in a completely unknown location and start a new job with new ways of working is doubling up on stress,” he said.

Choosing Pittsburgh meant Mark could focus solely on the internship itself, since he knew the area well. That focus gave him a chance to think clearly and assess his experience at the firm, so he could make the best decision possible after graduation.

Finding Belonging at Notre Dame

In addition to career preparation for the in-demand world of data analytics, Mark was also looking for an undergraduate program that would “deliver life-long skills and a scientific perspective.”

From the start, Notre Dame stood out from other schools he applied to. Mark pointed to the warmth with which the University wrote to him, informing him of his acceptance, as an early indication that this would be the place for him.

“When I was accepted,” he said, “Notre Dame reached out to me and said it would be honored to have me as a student,” rather than pointing to his “good fortune” in being accepted by it. The personal, welcoming tone made an impression.

Majoring in both business analytics and applied mathematics, Mark’s journey has focused intently on solving problems with data inside and outside the classroom. From business law to statistics and machine learning, he has connected with professors and fellow students to build the skills he needed to make a difference in his internship.

Real-World Impact at EY

Mark’s role this summer centered around an interesting and challenging client integration project. He played an important role in efforts to implement a three-way matching system and ensure Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance and appropriate data governance.

This work brought him into contact with a Fortune 500 client, as well as EY employees ranging from senior partners focused on EY’s AI strategy to staff who had interned the previous summer. From the process automation specialists converting manual processes into automated ones, all the way up to the decision-makers, Mark received a full perspective on the project and how each role fits into developing solutions.

"I have seen what it is like to be valued by a company, and gained valuable insights from talking with partners, managers, and peers about the job and their experience," he said. Outside the office, the EY intern team formed a supportive, mission-driven community of its own. One of the most memorable days of the summer for Mark was EY’s Intern Impact Day. Together, they processed over 7,000 pounds of food for individuals in need, echoing the Mendoza College of Business’s commitment to growing the good in business. 

A couple of weeks later, EY brought all Pittsburgh interns on a VIP tour of the Pirates’ MLB stadium, and they watched a game from box seats. Mark appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the Pirates’ legacy and to further build connections across disciplines within the firm. Mark said, “It was a great opportunity to meet interns across practices spending the summer with the firm.”

Back on Campus: The Journey Continues …

Now, as he returns to campus, Mark feels even more sure of his next steps.

When asked what he hopes to do after graduation, Mark said that he wanted “to go into consulting after graduation, focusing on strategic impact.”

With the coursework, practical experience, and proven results behind him, he will be well-equipped for such a course, but he won’t wait until then to make a difference. As CFO of the Data Club at Notre Dame, Mark will be working to enhance Notre Dame’s reputation as a place where students solve real business problems. This club teaches students coding and data science skills so they can leverage technology to provide business insight. 

He is also committed to welcoming returning students and equipping them for success as a Center for Student Support and Care (CSSC) Fellow for the Supporting Transitions After Returning (STAR) Program. After taking two years off from school to improve his mental health and serve a term with AmeriCorps, Mark returned to a campus where the faces were all new, but the welcome was just as warm.

“I want every student to feel that they belong at Our Lady’s University,” he said, echoing his own experience of being welcomed from his acceptance letter onward at Notre Dame. Now, as the fellow for the same program that supported his return, he plans to expand the events during the semester to build a stronger community and connect with other Student Support and Care groups.

"I have enjoyed the ability to work on a real client engagement and see what a job in consulting really looks like. ... I have seen what it is like to be valued by a company, and gained valuable insights from talking with partners, managers, and peers about the job and their experience."