Isabella Estevez, ’25
Studying International Relations
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
During my internship at the Tufts Investment Office, I worked on a summer-long project aimed at providing deeper context on how various industries are expected to develop in the coming years. I really enjoyed the freedom to conduct in-depth research and analysis, while also receiving valuable feedback and support from the team. By the end of the summer, I had the opportunity to present my findings to the investment office and other endowments as part of the Endowment Management Investment Fellowship, which was a highlight of the experience. I also collaborated with the office on research and decision-making about the investment managers in our network, and even got to meet with these managers and participate in our evaluations of them.
How did you find this internship?
As a sophomore, I worked as an analyst in the Tufts Investment Club’s research group, putting together a comprehensive report about various investment opportunities. At the end of the semester, our group presented this report to the Tufts Investment Office and I had the opportunity to meet the team and hear about their internship program. I was immediately interested, and applied on Handshake at the beginning of my junior year.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
What I enjoyed most about my internship was discovering the breadth of the investment universe – it’s so much wider than I had imagined. I was amazed to see how you can make an investment out of virtually anything, which truly expanded my perspective on the industry. Beyond that, the team itself is filled with brilliant individuals who were amazing to work with; everyone was incredibly open to answering questions and extremely supportive throughout my learning process. The environment fostered a deep sense of collaboration and growth, which made the experience both intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding.
What did you find challenging?
I think the most challenging part of my internship was wrapping my mind around the unique way endowments approach investing. Every organization has its own perspective on investing, and these outlooks can vary widely depending on the organization’s goals, values, and experiences. I came in with a certain idea of what investing would look like, but by the end of the internship, I had gained a whole new understanding of what it means to be an endowment providing for the Tufts community. Thinking from the perspective of an endowment was a skill I hadn’t had the chance to develop before, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to expand my knowledge in ways that I hadn’t anticipated.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
My advice to future interns is to come in with an open mind and be prepared to explore a broad spectrum of investment avenues. You’ll have the chance to dive deeply into a lot of different industries, so embrace the opportunity to learn about areas you may not be familiar with. One of the best ways to grow is by actively listening to and participating in the investment decision conversations happening around you. Try to break down the elements driving those decisions and think critically about what’s being discussed. Also, don’t hesitate to ask questions and share your opinions with the team – they genuinely value your input and will encourage your involvement in the process!
