After hearing about the internship opportunity from her former Division I women’s soccer teammate, who was hired by RBC Wealth Management after graduating from Quinnipiac, Matyczyk — a student in the 3+1 accelerated, dual-degree MBA program — applied for the role with a broad range of business interests.

“As an applied business major, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in business, but I wasn't exactly sure which path was the right fit for me. This internship gave me exposure to many different areas of wealth management and helped me discover a genuine interest in the industry,” she said.

While working in RBC’s Farmington, Connecticut office, Matyczyk was exposed to many areas of wealth management and worked on several impressive projects for Canada’s largest bank.

“Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects that gave me exposure to many areas of wealth management,” she said. “I created portfolio allocation models using Morningstar, a research platform that provides data and portfolio tools to help generate and evaluate investments and build portfolios. I also generated wealth plans by analyzing a client's goals, income, investments, retirement needs and overall financial situations. I was able to analyze investment reports and learn about account servicing and money movement processes. I also collaborated with the marketing team to develop and create client campaigns, email outreach and a client appreciation event."

One of the most meaningful experiences during the internship was the trip Matyczyk and her team took to the Bloomberg headquarters and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

At the Bloomberg headquarters, she said the team of interns “received a private demonstration of the Bloomberg Terminal and learned how financial professionals use it to analyze markets and make investment decisions.” She was also able to see the original “Market Master” from 1982 and witness how the industry has evolved since then.

The following day, the team visited the NYSE and connected with industry leaders and professionals.

“Getting the chance to experience the NYSE was amazing and easily one of the biggest highlights from this internship,” said Matyczyk. “I toured the trading floor, where I had the opportunity to speak with brokers and Designated Market Makers, watch Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras ring the opening bell and hear from professionals about their career journeys. I also had the chance to meet Peter Tuchman, known as the ‘Einstein of Wall Street.’”

Matyczyk noticed significant growth in herself throughout the 10-week position.

"My time with RBC Wealth Management was extremely meaningful,” she said. “I can truly say I have learned a substantial amount in the little time I shared with them. I was able to strengthen both my technical and professional skills. I became proficient with multiple industry platforms and gained a deeper understanding of portfolio construction, financial planning and client servicing. Beyond the technical knowledge, I learned the importance of building relationships, communicating effectively with clients and coworkers and paying close attention to detail. This is the forefront of the business, and I learned how much these relationships mean to both clients and advisors."

Matyczyk is leaving the internship with new skills and experiences, as well as new certifications that will support her future career endeavors. 

“I was able to complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certification, learned to use platforms such as Salesforce, Campaign Central and Broadridge and began studying for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam,” she said.

Matyczyk is grateful for the support from Quinnipiac that helped her to earn for this internship opportunity. 

“Quinnipiac’s School of Business offers many career development resources that have helped me prepare for the professional world, specifically by teaching me how to build a strong resume, interview confidently, network with employers and understand my value as a candidate,” she said. “Those experiences gave me the confidence to pursue competitive internship opportunities and helped me better understand what I am looking for in a future career. I feel well prepared and confident in my ability to contribute in any field I pursue.”

Matyczyk originally chose Quinnipiac for her education based on the unique opportunities that were available at the university.

“Quinnipiac offered the perfect combination of strong academics, Division I athletics and career preparation,” she said. I knew I wanted to continue my academics somewhere where I could compete at a high level in soccer while also receiving an education that would set me up for a successful future. One of the biggest factors in my decision was the 3+1 MBA program, which gave me the opportunity to earn both my bachelor's degree and MBA in four years. Being able to graduate with a master's degree is a tremendous advantage and will allow me to enter the workforce with additional knowledge, experience and qualifications.”

Now entering her fourth year, she has fallen in love with the Quinnipiac community.

“My favorite part about Quinnipiac is the people. Whether it's professors, coaches, support staff, teammates, friends, classmates or alumni, everyone genuinely wants to help you succeed. This school has such a supportive community and has made my college experience incredibly rewarding in all areas,” Matyczyk said.

While sometimes demanding, Matyczyk says her time on the Division I women’s soccer team has taught her lessons that will stay with her long after her time at Quinnipiac.

“I have developed strong time management skills, gained confidence in my abilities, learned the importance of accountability and leadership and discovered how to perform under pressure while working as a team,” she said. “My biggest takeaway, and something that has ultimately shaped who I am, is the value of approaching each day with a positive attitude and a clear mind. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities, and I have learned that a positive mindset plays a large role in how you respond. This perspective has helped me mature into a stronger, more confident and well-rounded person.”

Matyczyk is grateful for the many mentors she has had while at Quinnipiac, including coaches, support staff and professors. 

“Quinnipiac's class sizes are smaller, which makes it easy to build meaningful relationships with professors and classmates, especially when traveling,” she said. “My professors have challenged me academically and have always been willing to help both inside and outside the classroom. The coaching staff, support staff, facilities and resources for student-athletes are among the best around and have given me the ability to succeed athletically, academically and personally. Having this support has helped shape me into a more confident student and athlete.”

As Matyczyk enters her graduate year, she is excited to continue growing into an even stronger person and professional.

“I am incredibly grateful to RBC Wealth Management for providing such a meaningful internship experience and to Quinnipiac for preparing me to succeed in this professional environment,” she said. “This summer was not always easy, but it gave me valuable experiences that will help shape my future career. I am excited to return to Quinnipiac to complete my MBA, build on everything I learned this summer and compete in my fourth year as a member of the Quinnipiac women's soccer team.”