Wimie Hsieh's Internship Experience at Matrix Applications

Hello Matrix Blog Readers,

My name is Wimie Hsieh and I’m a graduate student at Baruch College studying Digital Marketing. As I wrap up my internship at Matrix Applications, I would like to reflect on how the firm has helped shape the beginning of my career.

What I enjoyed most about my internship

My favorite part about my internship was easily the people and, as an extension, the company culture. When I first started at Matrix, I was a sophomore who had only began exploring the world of marketing. Being thrown into the world of financial services and capital markets was daunting to say the least, but the company's open door policy and culture of nurturing curiosity was critical in helping me get on my feet. Throughout all three years I've spent with the company, the people have been what made everything I've done possible.

All of the lessons I've learned from Matrix are ones that I will carry even years down the road. The welcoming culture of the firm has helped me grow immensely, teaching me how to step outside of my comfort zone and explore the unknown to discover new opportunities that I would have never seen before. It is thanks to the people that I have met and talked with during my time at the firm that I have learned as much as I have, in the form of personal stories and valuable insights into marketing.

What was my biggest takeaway

If asked, the biggest takeaway from my time at Matrix is to never be scared of asking questions. The first thing I was told when I started in my role was that everyone is here to answer questions, no matter what the question is, and it was certainly true. From my team to the members of other teams, everyone at Matrix has never shied away from answering questions.

Through sitting in meetings with senior management and even smaller chats with seasoned professionals, I learned the value of asking questions and not being afraid to admit to not knowing something. The culture at Matrix not only encourages curiosity but nurtures it, with all of the people I've met praising the courage to ask questions. I, too, have worked with new interns during my time at Matrix and seen how the fostering of a naturally inquisitive environment helps newcomers adapt more easily. This is something that I will continue to carry with me as I continue my career journey.

Who I worked with & mentorship experience

Throughout my years at Matrix, I had the privilege of being mentored by Colleen Judge and of working closely with Stephen Mellert and Matt Rafizadeh on the business development team.

What started out as a first time for both Colleen and I has grown into a relationship that I will always cherish. Her mentorship has not only helped me improve my existing skills but also provided me with the tools necessary for success in my later endeavors. She has been my biggest supporter during my time at Matrix and never failed to encourage me when I would hesitate to step outside my comfort zone.

Learning from Colleen allowed me to also understand the importance of good management, of which she is an excellent example. From encouragement to feedback, she has always been genuine and kind in her communication. Her management style promotes personal growth, adapting easily to what is necessary and always taking into consideration my capabilities. She has been crucial in my professional development and the lessons that I have learned from here are ones that are hard to forget.

Of course, there have also been those of other teams that I've worked with throughout the long three years and I extend my utmost gratitude to them. Everyone who I have worked with has been patient with my growth and shared unforgettable stories. As such, I would also like to thank the entire Matrix team for their care in the last three years, however small the project we worked together on was.

Thank you for reading,
Wimie Hsieh