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Jeffrey Ramras ’08 (Concord, Mass.) is getting a look at his future this summer, and he likes what he sees.
An economics and business major, Ramras is working with Mark Suffredini ’93 in Smith Barney’s Boston office.
“As our firm moves toward a more holistic wealth management business model, we have given our advisors the ability to transition their smaller relationships to an internal group at Smith Barney,” Suffredini explains. “Jeff is working closely with me to help our 90 financial advisors facilitate that process. In addition, Jeff has taken ownership of some key administrative projects.”
Ramras plans on working in finance; whether it’s in commercial banking, financial planning or some other area, he hasn’t yet decided. The internship, he says, has given him a better understanding of the day-to-day activities of a financial planner.
“I’d never worked in a corporate environment before, so the internship at Smith Barney has opened my eyes to what office life is like,” Ramras explains. “I can see the application of the various skills I’ve learned in accounting and other courses. Beyond that, it’s just been very beneficial to see how a company runs, what problems arise and how they are dealt with, and how 150 workers come together and work efficiently.”
Ramras says that Suffredini has been very supportive of his “learning on the job.”
“Mark’s been great,” Ramras says. “He’s always ready to explain anything that I might have a question about and always goes out of his way to make sure I’m learning as much as possible about the business.”
In turn, Suffredini has been impressed by his intern.
“Jeff has been a pleasure to work with,” Suffredini says. “He has taken ownership of every assignment he has been given. Jeff is professional, punctual, and hard working. He has assimilated nicely into our office.”
According to Suffredini, Lafayette students are good choices for internships because they possess skills and qualities that help people succeed in the work force. As a Lafayette graduate, he knows firsthand how that experience translates to success on the job.
“I have found Lafayette students to be respectful, hard working, and intelligent,” Suffredini notes. “My four years at Lafayette were invaluable in helping me to pursue and achieve my goals, and the friendships that I made are still strong to this day. Beyond the coursework and social environment, my interaction with alumni was and continues to be helpful to this day.”
Ramras was among more than 275 Lafayette students who served summer internships with alumni and other experienced professionals in the business, arts, education, healthcare, law, engineering, science, government, and non-profits. The students shadowed the professionals at their workplaces, learning about careers they may consider entering after college, developing professional networking contacts, and building their resumes.