Mack DeVries: InTERPShip Academy Spotlight

Rising senior defender Mack DeVries of Maryland men’s soccer is diving into the world of business through Maryland Made’s InTERPship Academy. 

The academy was established to provide student-athletes at the University of Maryland the chance to explore potential career fields through internships and work experience. Several student-athletes are taking advantage of this program, which will allow them to boost their resumes and enhance their professional knowledge. 

DeVries is a finance major and is operating as an intern for WesBanco. He described his experience so far in a Q&A with umterps.com.

What is your internship position and the name of your organization for this summer?

“My internship position is in the securities subdivision at a bank called WesBanco.”

Why did you apply to be a part of the Maryland Made InTERPship Academy?

“I applied to be a part of the Maryland Made InTERPship Academy because I wanted to take advantage of the resources provided to me as a student-athlete at Maryland, and saw it as an opportunity to build my resume for life after sports.”

What are your current roles and responsibilities at your internship site?

“My current roles and responsibilities at my internship involve making outbound calls to customers to check in with them, lobby management at branches of the bank, shadowing financial advisors within the bank, and studying for my SIE exam, which I will need to pass one day to become a financial advisor.” 

How has this internship aligned with your expectations of what it would be like?

“This internship has made me realize that although you need to really know your stuff, the bulk of what makes a person in this industry successful is more centered around their personality and their ability to create and maintain relationships with people.”

How will this internship help support your future career aspirations?

“This internship will help support my future aspirations by guiding me through the process of becoming licensed, as well as by showing me the best practices within the industry.”

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to pursue a career in this industry?

“One piece of advice I would give to someone looking to break into the finance industry would be to gain as much work experience as possible, and to find a mentor who is willing to teach them how to grow within the industry.”

Can you share an example of an accomplishment you had during your internship or something you are proud of yourself for?

“By the end of it, I hope to be able to say that I passed my SIE exam.”