New York Knicks Investment Challenge Interns Begin Work Published: July 12, 2005 By Jessica Pritchard VP  Monica Blair of GEF&S with Alteha Wilson of New York City's DeWitt Clinton High School They might not be old enough to invest, but these youngsters spent 10 weeks allocating a $100,000 portfolio and are now working on Wall Street. Fourteen Merrill Lynch New York Knicks Investment Challenge winners joined the firm as summer interns July 5 as part of the Kurt Thomas and ML Investment Challenge Summer Internship Program. The students applied for the internships, after completing the Investment Challenge last spring, through an essay competition and then an interview with representatives from ML, the New York City Public School District and the Knicks. The internship program, which like the investment challenge is in its fifth year, brings public high school seniors to ML to intern in various business groups for six weeks. “We believe we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people by introducing them to Wall Street and the requisite skills of investing, such as research, analysis, long-term planning, and decision-making, through the Investment Challenge” FVP Eddy Bayardelle, head of Global Philanthropy, said. “The 10-week simulation hones their investing proficiency, while the internships test their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting and expose them to new career options.” ML's Investing Pays Off® Program Recent Stories ML and Baruch College Celebrate High School IPO® Challenge ML's Honorary Principals Make a Day Last Longer Kurt Thomas Investment Challenge Celebrates Five Years Primer Global Philanthropy's Investing Pays Off® Website Sign Up to Volunteer IPO in Asia Pacific Region The chosen students were some of the top performers in the Stock Market Game, and many plan careers in business after they attend college. Romana Sahadeo, a graduate of DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, will be interning in Corporate Risk Management. She said that while she knew a little about the stock market before the investment challenge, she came away from the game with a greater understanding of the ins and outs of investing and an interest in business. “It was a great opportunity to learn about the stock market,” she said. “When I wrote the letter to apply for the internship I was nervous, but now I’m excited to start.” Ms. Sahadeo said she now hopes to own her own business one day. Katia Mujica, Americas GMI Management and Rene Nunez, a student from New York City's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School. Marlon Barton, who will attend Morgan State University in Baltimore in the fall, said he hopes to gain insight into the world of business before entering college as a business administration major. “I’m really looking forward to experiencing the business world at Merrill Lynch,” he said. Mr. Barton plans to go to medical school after college and pursue a career in orthopedics. Students also received advice from the firm’s recruitment team on how to advance in the business world and identify professional advancement opportunities as they continue through college. Director Keith Webb, undergraduate diversity recruiter, Leadership & Talent Management, told the students that this was just the beginning of their work to find the jobs they want after college, and offered tips for the journey ahead. “It’s important to get established in school first, and then you can look at what you want to do,” he said. Keith Webb Mr. Webb offered the students his guidance during their internships, and encouraged them to keep in touch as they continue through college. “Do everything you can to distinguish yourselves in college, rid yourself of shyness, create visibility for yourself, and please, take advantage of this opportunity,” he said. “This firm has a lot to offer.” More than a dozen ML employees serve as mentors and supervisors to the students during the summer. Sue Hertz, a senior associate in GPC and supervisor for one of the interns, said the program benefited both ML and the students. “This is an excellent opportunity for Merrill Lynch to act as a role model for young people who are considering the financial industry and the business world in general,” she said. David Ratcliffe, the director of the ML Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management and Mr. Barton’s supervisor, agreed with Ms. Hertz. “Having an opportunity such as this will help the kids make smart choices in their college studies and extracurricular work,” he said. “Plus, for us it’s very rewarding to have the opportunity to mentor a young person who is just entering the workforce.”