Please see Part 2 of the series here.
This past summer, the internship program at the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center gave students hands-on experience working closely with founders on specific projects at an entrepreneurial venture. This year, we also included a track for organizations that focus on sustainability or on making a social impact.
In this blog post series, we feature three graduate students at DePaul University who participated in the internship program. What was their experience working for these startups? What did they learn? What might have been some of their challenges? Read on for their stories.
Hari Deepika Mutta (Master of Business Analytics, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, 2025)
Hailing from the diverse and culturally rich landscape of India, I always knew I had aspirations beyond borders. Today, I’m here as a graduate student, pursuing my master’s in business analytics at Kellstadt. The journey to this point has been a tapestry of experiences and opportunities that I’m eager to share.
My academic journey commenced with a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering. This foundation led me to an enriching, two-year technical journey as a Systems Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services. Now, I find myself looking ahead to new horizons, charting a course through the world of business analytics.
One of the pivotal moments in my academic journey here at DePaul is when I first heard about the Coleman center’s summer internship program. It was an opportunity too good to pass up. The moment I discovered it, I applied. Little did I know that this application would lead me to one of the most transformative experiences and introduce me to the most amazing team of people.
I was fortunate to land the internship and got matched with Vencora, a dynamic financial services company, as a Junior Financial Analyst. The experience that followed was nothing short of wonderful.
My time at Vencora was a revelation. It was my first foray into the intricate world of financial reporting and analysis. I was tasked with creating various reports and consolidating data. These reports were not just a collection of numbers; they were the backbone of detailed analyses for various target areas within the company.
During my internship, I had the privilege of gaining an intimate insight into the world of financial analysis. It was here that I saw how raw financial data are transformed into actionable business insights. This was the real-world application of what I have been learning in my business analytics program. It was the moment when theory met practice.
For me, this experience was not just an internship; it was a bridge connecting my classroom learning to the actual business landscape. It was about applying my knowledge to solve real-world problems. It was an invaluable opportunity to witness how data could be harnessed to make strategic decisions.
As I reflect on my journey, I can confidently say that the internship as a financial analyst has significantly enriched my professional profile. I am now eagerly anticipating the next step of my journey, as I actively seek internships as a Business Analyst. Ultimately, I hope to carve out my own niche in the market. This internship has been a pivotal stepping stone in this career path.
My journey, spanning from the shores of India to the vibrant city of Chicago, is a testament to the power of dreams, learning and experience. The adventure continues, and I am excited about the road ahead. I look forward to sharing more stories, insights and experiences as I move forward on this path of business analytics.
Applications for the summer internship program are open to students across all majors and colleges at DePaul University every spring on the Coleman center’s website. Learn more here.
Great to hear about your experience Deepika, congratulations!