ATLAS Graduate Profile: Sandra
From computer science to investment banking, ATLAS helped Sandra find the right career pathway. When Sandra graduates from Brown University, she will join J.P. Morgan’s Investment Bank as an analyst.
How did your experience at J.P. Morgan contribute to your growth and impact your career trajectory?
My time at J.P. Morgan was full of learning curves, but those challenges helped me realize that this is the career path I want to pursue. Coming from a computer science background, the work I did during my internship was very different from what I was used to, but in a way that felt exciting. I realized I thrived in a more traditional finance role where the environment is more fast paced and feedback driven, and centered around team interaction, which pushed me to grow quickly. Being part of the investment banking team gave me a real sense of the pace and pressure of the job, but also showed me how much of it comes down to relationships and how they’re built, maintained, and ultimately turned into deals. I walked away from my internship more confident in my ability to think strategically, and even more excited to return full-time.
Additionally, the mentorship I received at J.P. Morgan was one of the best parts of my experience. Both my senior and junior mentors went out of their way to support me, whether it was making introductions, giving me feedback on my final presentation, or just being there in the room while I presented. They helped me feel like I belonged on the team from day one. Whether talking through soft skills or just grabbing coffee when I needed a reset, my mentors always made time. I learned a lot from all of them, and I’m grateful they helped me hit the ground running.
Graduation is around the corner! What comes to mind when you reflect on your time at ATLAS?
I think about how different things might’ve looked if I hadn’t had the support of the ATLAS community. With my computer science background, I might have stayed on the software engineering path, even though I knew it wasn’t the right fit for me. ATLAS gave me the space and encouragement to explore finance and helped me trust that I had something to bring to the table. That support helped me find my footing in a part of the industry that really fits me.
