Helen Zhao

What were your job responsibilities as a VPF intern?

• Improving the CRM and customer engagement process by managing the client database.
• Creating educational materials on passive investing and asset allocation for client consultations.
• Researching ETFs and mutual funds to assist advisors in the selection of cost-conscious funds for client portfolios.

What was your biggest takeaway from interning at VPF?

Mentorship is very valuable to students as it provides motivation, learning opportunities, wisdom from an experienced person, constructive criticism, and positive mature relationships. Also, read the books your mentors recommend!

What is one of your favorite memories from interning at VPF?

Having lunch at the sushi place next door with Ashley!

How did your VPF internship prepare you for your career post-graduation?

My internship experience at VPF sparked my interest in investing, saving, and personal finance, which led me to pursue a full-time career in the financial services industry.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your internship experience at VPF and how it translated into your career post-graduation?

Because my internship experience at VPF doesn’t exactly translate to what I’m doing now, I would strongly advise keeping an open mind towards all opportunities. You never know where you may end up, and often life takes you to better places than you had planned for yourself!

Where do you work now?

I work at Citi as the VP of Deposits Pricing Strategy & Analytics.

What are your job responsibilities?

The Deposits Pricing Team provides market intelligence, pricing strategy, and analytics for Consumer deposit products, applying a disciplined analytical decision process with a focus on driving profit and market share growth.

What's your favorite part about your job?

How Citi’s people and company culture are collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented in my experience.

If you had one piece of advice for someone entering the financial services industry, what would it be?

Meet as many people as possible, not just for coffee or networking, but in your daily work life. The more people who can vouch for your work ethic, the more doors will be open for you in the future.