January 09, 2025
For finance major Elliott Davis ’25, internships have been more than just opportunities to learn — they’ve been transformative in shaping his career aspirations. Spanning three countries and diverse industries, Davis’ journey exemplifies how early ambition and university support can lead to fulfilling, real-world experiences.
It all began after Davis’ first year at Susquehanna. He joined SaturdaysAI, a nonprofit based in Barcelona, Spain. The remote internship was made possible by Susquehanna’s innovative approach to international internships, which began during the pandemic and continues to serve as a steppingstone for younger students exploring global careers.
“Remote internships like this gave me a chance to explore the professional world early,” Davis explains. At SaturdaysAI, he developed a go-to-market strategy for North America and researched cryptocurrency fundraising tools, all while navigating the challenges of working across time zones. “I loved how I could set my own schedule while still meeting my team’s objectives. Plus, I learned so much about artificial intelligence and its growing impact on the world.”
Susquehanna’s Business Internship course prepares and encourages students to integrate classroom knowledge with hands-on work. “The course pushed me to reflect on how my academic background prepared me to tackle real-world problems,” he says.
This foundation paved the way for Davis’ next opportunity: a summer 2023 internship with Edward Jones in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. As a financial data analyst, he tackled projects like automating reports, building databases and refining data practices. Beyond the technical skills, Davis credits this role with boosting his confidence in tools like Power BI.
“Power BI is my go-to for data analysis, whether it’s in class or for other projects,” Davis says. “That internship really showed me how to take what I learn in class to the next level.”
Davis’ momentum carried him abroad during the fall semester of 2023, when he studied in London and interned with AHV Associates, an asset management firm specializing in European leisure properties. As part of their team, he contributed to investment decision-making, conducted industry research and supported high-stakes real estate transactions.
“Physical asset management wasn’t an area of finance I’d explored before,” Davis says. “To overcome the challenge, I researched the parts I found most interesting — like how hotel conglomerates operate globally. That extra effort helped me stay engaged and contribute meaningfully to the team.”
Reflecting on his internships, Davis says they felt like a snowball effect. “I’d learn hard skills in one role and use them in the next, while also improving my communication, time management and teamwork. In person, my impact felt more substantial because the work required a higher degree of technical expertise.”
As Davis looks ahead to graduation, Davis credits his early success to the guidance of his former advisor, the late Peter DaDalt. “He encouraged me to start interning as a sophomore and introduced me to the remote international internship with SaturdaysAI,” Davis shares. “I never would have been able to thank him enough for inspiring me to take these steps forward in my career.”