Name: Jean Valencia Ngunjiri
Class Year: 2026
Major: Economics
Minor: Data Science
Internship Organization: American Express
Internship Title: Finance Summer Analyst
Location: New York, NY
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
This summer, I worked on a project that focused on understanding and analyzing prepayment behavior in American Express’ Personal Loans business. Prepayments occur when customers pay back more than their required monthly installment, which directly affects the company’s accounts receivable forecasts and ultimately the revenue it earns from interest. My project was to identify seasonality trends in prepayments and recommend ways to incorporate these insights into forecasting models. I applied statistical techniques and tested adjustment methods to improve the accuracy of forecasts. Along the way, I learned how finance teams use data to support decision-making and how even small improvements in forecasting accuracy can have a meaningful impact on business outcomes.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I wanted to experience how the skills I’ve been developing in my Economics and Data Science courses could be applied to real-world finance problems. American Express offered the opportunity to combine analytical work with strategic thinking, while also giving me exposure to one of the most recognized financial services companies in the world. I was especially excited to join a team where my project aligned with business-critical priorities and where my work could directly inform leadership decisions.
Was there anything special about how you found this internship?
I actually learned about this internship through friends who are Bryn Mawr alums, which made it feel even more special. Hearing about their positive experiences at American Express gave me the confidence to apply and showed me how strong the Bryn Mawr network can be.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
The highlight of this internship has been the people and culture at American Express. The environment is collaborative and supportive, where questions are encouraged and diverse perspectives are valued. The team fostered an atmosphere of trust and inclusivity that made the work especially rewarding. Beyond the day-to-day projects, the intern cohort added another layer of community. Building friendships and sharing experiences with peers made the summer both professionally and personally meaningful.
What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?
I didn’t expect to learn how important storytelling is in data. I came in ready to focus on technical analysis, but I realized the real impact comes from communicating findings clearly and connecting them back to business decisions. I also learned how much company culture can shape growth, having supportive mentors and teammates gave me the confidence to take ownership of my project and step outside my comfort zone.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during your internship?
The biggest challenge was learning to adjust when things didn’t work out the first time. Data isn’t always clean, and forecasts don’t always line up. At first, this was frustrating, but it pushed me to become more flexible and creative in problem-solving. I learned to test new approaches, ask for feedback, and not be afraid of trial and error. That process was challenging, but also where most of my growth happened.
Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you?
This was my second summer working in a hybrid format, so the experience wasn’t entirely new. I’d say it was manageable and quite doable. The remote days required being intentional about staying connected, setting up check-ins, asking questions, and keeping communication open. The in-person days balanced that out, giving me the chance to build stronger relationships with my team and experience the company culture firsthand. Overall, the mix of independence and collaboration made the hybrid structure work well.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
Over the summer I developed: Analytical skills: Strengthening my ability to work with large datasets and financial models. Communication skills: Learning to present complex findings in a clear and engaging way for different audiences. Collaboration skills: Working with teammates taught me the value of feedback, brainstorming, and adapting ideas.
Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns to describe your internship experience?
Adjectives: Welcoming, Challenging, Transformative
Nouns: Growth, Mentorship, Community
Was this internship what you expected it to be?
It was even more than I expected. I came in hoping to build technical and professional skills, and I definitely did that, but I also found mentors, peers, and a community that supported me every step of the way.
What is most rewarding about your internship?
The most rewarding part was the sense of ownership. Even as an intern, my project was tied to the team’s larger strategy, and I could see how my work contributed to bigger goals. Just as meaningful was the mentorship I received, having colleagues who believed in me and celebrated my progress made this experience unforgettable.
This summer I got to be part of the day to day routine of a dental practice. Most days began at 7am where I would check the schedule for the day and given a run down by heather the dental assistant on site. During these run downs we would check if patient had up to date x rays and see what they x rays looked like. If the x rays were old or not to our standards we would set up for new x rays. Once the patient was there I would help greet the patient and lead them into the room. During procedures I would check to see if there were any instruments that needed to be sterilized. If there were I would run them through the ultrasonic, bag and place in autoclave to be sterilize. If another room need to be taken down I would go in throw away disposables, take instruments to be sterilized and disinfect the room. I would then prepare the room for the next patient. This included placing new instruments in the correct orientation, placing new barriers and bring in any additional equipment needed. After all of that was finished I stood in during procedures and watched how Dr stein and his assistant heather conducted the procedure. At times I aided in suctioning and passing instruments during procedures. Getting first hand experience. There I could ask questions communicate with patients and be part of the process.
Additionally Dr. Stein connected me to his colleagues. I shadowed Dr. Labib and Dr. Gabe two talented endodontists and Dr. Sabra an excellent oral surgeon. There I was exposed to the different branches of dentistry and how different they are. During my many conversations with Dr. Stein I realized how intertwined insurance companies are with patient care and how a dentist chooses to run their practice. I learned that insurance companies dictate the price of procedures and as the dentist you must accommodate to the price. A dental procedure can cost $10 but insurance fixes the price at $8 the dentist must adhere to this price. The remaining $2 is the responsibility of the dentists. Dentists seek out additional patients to cover this deficit. This can lead to fatigue which can affect patient care. Many dentist choose to work independently from insurance because of this. There are still many practice that run successfully working alongside insurance companies with phenomenal patient care. Learning that this is an options I will face in the future was truly eye opening.
I applied for this internship because I understood I was far removed from the dental industry. I had limited experience and no connections. I understood that to change my current position I needed to expose myself. I was attracted to Dr Stein’s practice because it stands independently from big companies and Dr stein specialized in prosthodontics with over 30 years of experience. I knew that I would be able to learn and grow in his office.
This summer, I had the opportunity to work mentoring a cohort of high school students at the annual Free Speech forum, where I was able to provide program support by facilitating discussions and homerooms on free speech, constitutional, and First Amendment rights. The Free Speech forum is a week-long program organized by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) where high school students engage with free speech rights, hear from speakers like Mary Beth Tinker on their rights, and engage with Capitol Hill through field trips and other daily activities. I was also in charge of preparing detailed incident reports for FIRE staff, documenting participant experiences, and promoting a safe, inclusive environment for students by modeling good behavior and addressing participants’ needs. I was also able to gain more knowledge about constitutional law, network and work alongside other college student counselors from universities across the country, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, Georgetown, Columbia, UChicago, and Penn State, who were also passionate about the free speech of students on our college campuses.
