Interns to team members: Journeys to a future in banking

“We invest in interns by offering professional development through various lunch and learns and book series, as well as exposure to senior leaders,” Rick Dreger, campus and early talent attraction manager at Synovus, says. “Interns work alongside experienced professionals who are committed to their growth. The bank fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment where interns are supported and challenged to develop personally and professionally.”

Three former interns share their paths to becoming full-time Synovus team members. The trajectory of Lucy Marks, Charles Pease and Julie Tran’s careers began soon after spending a summer at the bank.

Lucy Marks, private wealth advisor III (2017 intern)

Lucy Marks grew up knowing her family banked at Synovus. She didn’t know that one day the bank would play a significant role in her life too. In 2017, as a University of Alabama senior majoring in economics and finance, she became a small business administration lending intern.

During her internship she learned the inner workings of the banking industry. Initially, she was unsure if her future would include working at a bank. “My internship started my career because it gave me access to leadership across all departments, which made it easier to figure out where I best fit within the bank,” she shared.

At the end of her internship, Marks applied for positions at the bank. “I felt very fortunate to enter my senior year with a job already lined up,” she says.

Charles A. Pease, commercial banker I (2019 intern)

A conversation with a fellow Auburn University student and former Synovus intern increased Charles Pease’s interest in applying for the Synovus program. Pease, a business student, recalls how the lessons he learned carried him seamlessly into his full-time role at the bank.

“I saw myself working here due to how great the culture is at the bank. Team members talked often about the cultural significance, but you can’t really understand it until you experience it for yourself,” he says.

During his internship in private wealth, he collaborated closely with the team on two integral projects that opened his eyes to his potential future.

Advice Pease says he would share with future interns: “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be personable and outgoing. Reach out to leaders in areas of the bank you’re interested in. You’ll be amazed at how many people are willing to help you as long as you show the drive to work hard and continue to learn.”

Julie Tran, enterprise scrum master (2018 intern)

In 2018, Julie Tran was looking to advance her education with real-life career experience. “I was excited to use what I learned while at Columbus State University,” she says. Before earning her bachelor’s degree in information technology, she knew she needed work experience, so she applied for a Synovus internship in IT.

In her role, she helps everyone stay focused, tracks progress and ensures the team works well together to achieve their goals. “It's surprising to think that now, whenever people mention going to a bank or getting a mortgage, I have played a role in those processes or know someone who has,” Tran says.

The team members she met and worked with welcomed her, and she began applying for full-time roles before her internship ended. “I finished the internship and got a call back for an interview two weeks later, and the rest is history!” Tran adds.

Synovus values its interns, offering experiences to jump-start careers and help college students envision their future with confidence.

Read more about how Synovus team members are enabling people to reach their full potential.