An interview with Juan Hernandez, Financial Analyst, Jacksonville

Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Cali,Colombia. At the age of 16, my parents decided it was time for a new adventure and we went to live on an island called San Andres in the Caribbean. After one year of living on the island, a friend of the family mentioned Miami and how great it was for living, so we decided to move to Miami and experience the life of South Florida.  

I attended Dade Christian School and Florida International University. Six months ago, I came to Nelnet’s Jacksonville office to complete my internship as a Financial Analyst Before going back to Miami, I was offered a position at Nelnet and, of course, I accepted it. It is probably the best choice I have made in my 24 years of life.
 
How did you become involved with HACU?
At the end of my senior year at Florida International University, I walked inside the career services office for assistance with my resume and helping me find a job interview. One of the staff members suggested that before doing a job interview, the best option was an internship to have a feel of the “corporate world.” Then, looking at my transcripts and background, the staff member mentioned the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) as one of my primary options. I went into the HACU Web site and filled out an application. Two months later, I received an e-mail from HACU advising me that I was going to receive a call from a company called Nelnet, and they gave me a brief overview of the company. Then the big moment came: I received a call from a member of the Human Resources department at Nelnet who was interested in interviewing me for a summer internship at one of Nelnet’s subsidiaries.  I went trough the interview process and ended up working with Corporate Technology Financial Variances under D’Anne Yarbrough and Ruth Ritchie.

How does HACU match students to internships?
HACU considers each student’s professional background including: majors, transcripts, skills, work experience, and interest. Then they identify what ‘Corporate America” needs in different professional fields, and they act as an intermediary connecting the student with the institution ensuring both parties get what they need. For example, if your are in industrial engineering looking for an internship, and on the other side an organization is looking for an industrial engineering undergraduate willing to collaborate for a period of time, HACU comes into play introducing both the company and the student. The second part is an interview process the student goes through, and it is up to the student to pass the required process.

What skills and interests did you have in college that made you a good match for an internship with Nelnet?
I have an educational background in finance, which was a perfect match for the Financial Analyst position Nelnet was offering, as well some work experience in different fields of the business world making me a good candidate for the available position at that time. Throughout my life I have acquired skills that were essential, such as experience in entrepreneurship and business development workshops, knowledge of different Microsoft applications, being multilingual, and having been exposed to diverse markets and cultures. But probably one of the things that helped me stand up against my competitors was my work at a rehabilitation center for HIV patients as assistance in resource operations; this type of work shows that you care for your community.

Did HACU provide any additional assistance involved with your internship?
HACU gives you the option of either self- relocation or HACU-relocation. I did my relocation through HACU, and I think that was the best choice because HACU has the expertise. In addition, HACU reimburses students for travel expenses. HACU also provided me with detailed information of the people I needed to contact when arriving at the Jacksonville office.

Describe the transition from your internship to full-time employment.
During the last three months of working as an intern, I went on the Ntranet and looked for any open positions relative to my career development in the financial field. Lucky for me,  there was an open position as a Financial Analyst I in the Jacksonville office. Without hesitation, I updated my resume and spoke to D’Anne Yarbrough and Ruth Ritchie, as always they provided me with excellent suggestions and hints for the interview process. And here I am.

In your opinion, how does HACU benefit from its relationship with Nelnet?
HACU tremendously benefits from Nelnet’s willingness to provide internships opportunities to the Hispanic undergraduate community.

How does Nelnet benefit from its relationship with HACU?
First it all, HACU does the job of recruiting qualified students that fulfill the desired requirements the company is looking for.  Second, I see HACU as a tremendous opportunity for Nelnet’s exposure in the Hispanic market. We cannot forget that there is approximately more than 40 million Hispanics in this country hungry for success, and in order for them to accomplish those dreams their only choice is to attend college—that is where Nelnet comes into play. By being involved with the Hispanic market, not only will Nelnet be recognized as a “student loan provider helping the Hispanic community accomplish the American dream,” but it will also help us in reaching our goal of 100 billion dollars in assets by 2014.

Would you recommend HACU to friends?
With no hesitation I will recommend HACU to my friends.

Would you recommend Nelnet to friends as a good employer?
Of course, Nelnet has opened its doors to me with respect in every aspect, both professionally and personally.

(Nelnet Circumference, January 2006. © 2006 Nelnet, Inc. All Rights Reserved)

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