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Trustee Scholar Patrick Zboray ’07 (Stratford, Conn.) did work for clients that included high-profile Fortune 500 companies through a summer internship in the financial recovery department of BDO Seidman, LLP, an international accounting firm. He is the fifth Lafayette student in as many years to intern with the firm.
Interns at BDO Seidman do not shadow a particular partner; they work independently on assigned bankruptcy and restructuring matters. Zboray, a double major in mathematics and economics & business, combed through massive collections of documents, researched assets and cash flow, created asset timelines, and entered information into specialized schedules.
“Financial recovery is helping companies get out of bankruptcy, or helping creditors,” he explains. “I researched companies compatible with the bankrupt companies who are our clients. I analyzed our clients, looked for compatible companies that went into Chapter 11, and examined what they did [in their transactions and activities].”
Though he was an intern working in a specialized field, Zboray’s contributions appear in public documents.
“We explained [to interns] that much of what they produce goes in the public record,” says Zboray’s supervisor Dave Berliner ’83, partner, financial recovery services. “Lawyers see this information, and they will question it and send it back if something isn’t right. [Zboray’s work] is also available on the Internet.”
He also learned the importance of confidentiality since some of his assignments involved high-profile Fortune 500 clients.
“This gave me one of the best looks at an accounting firm that I could have,” says Zboray. “If I didn’t have an internship, I’d have no idea of what a job [in the field] is actually like.”
“Patrick did quality work,” reports Berliner. “We liked his strong work ethic. He came in early and didn’t leave until the work was done. He worked hard, and he got along very well with people.”
Berliner says that today’s college students have marketable computer skills that are vital to the business world. BDO Seidman also uses internships as a recruiting tool; successful interns are often offered full-time positions. Two recent Lafayette graduates began their careers with the firm after making strong impressions during summer internships.
“The broad Lafayette background is very desirable,” says Berliner. “We want people who work hard, think on their feet, have a strong work ethic, and have good interpersonal skills.”
Zboray learned of the internship through the Lafayette Job Vault, an online listing of available opportunities posted by the career services department. He believes this is one way Lafayette helps its students gain access to valuable off-campus experiences.
“The Job Vault is great,” says Zboray. “My sister graduated from another school, and she had to look hard for all the internships she ever got. All I had to do was click twice, send a résumé, and show up for an interview.”
Zboray is a member of Newman Association, Crew Club, and Investment Club. He has participated in Habitat for Humanity through the Landis Community Outreach Center. He is a graduate of Frank Scott Bunnell High School.
Selected from among Lafayette’s top applicants, Trustee Scholars like Zboray have distinguished themselves through exceptional academic achievement in high school. They receive from Lafayette an annual minimum scholarship of $7,500 ($8,000 effective with the Class of 2009) or a grant in the full amount of their demonstrated need if the need is more than $7,500.