As we approach the final few weeks as interns here at ICBA, we have been thinking about our futures while looking back on the time we have spent here this summer.
The activities we participated in this week have shown us how impactful our time here has been, and has made us excited to finish out the summer strong, as we have begun working on our final presentations. On Monday this week, we attended the Town Hall, and on Tuesday we participated in Community Day.
Attending the Town Hall this week was educational and inspiring. It is always interesting to hear from different departments within ICBA, and we enjoyed learning about ICBA Community during this meeting. Celebrating the milestones and retirements was inspirational and learning about the dedication that they have put in for so many years was incredible. Congratulations to all who are celebrating a milestone this month!
Attending Community Day has been a highlight of our time here at ICBA. The collaborative nature of sharing the office with everyone has been meaningful to our learning, and all of the activities are fun, exciting, and educational. At this week's community day, we were able to take professional headshots, which will come in handy for all of our future career goals.
In the morning, we attended a session on women's health, and it was great to see so many people attend, not just women. It was a valuable session, and we all learned so much about how to advocate for ourselves and our loved ones.
We also ate a delicious barbecue lunch with everyone, and it was a great time to catch up with those around us. In the afternoon, we attended the MARCOM 101 presentation, and it was super cool to hear about what all goes into the MARCOM team. They do such incredible work!
About Me:
Hi! My name is Tushar Gidadhubli and I’m a rising senior studying International Affairs and Economics. I came into undergrad with only the international affairs major as I was always interested in learning about the way the world worked and why everything was the way that it was.
As I continued my education, this curiosity towards the world shifted towards American politics and, in simple terms, the way money actually works. I began my professional career interning for a small political media startup called LeftMiddleRight, who were focused on promoting bipartisan dialogue and counteracting echo chambers. During this time I learned a lot about the problems our nation was facing, and as a result interned on Capitol Hill the following year.
This internship was coupled with a research position I held focused on a project on big powers in the South/Southeast Asia region and US policy implications. My most recent experience has been working for a lobbying firm called Carmen Group last spring.
Finally, I am currently LOVING my experience at ICBA and am working on a startup with my colleagues focused on simplifying the large number of regulations passed by federal agencies and streamlining access to simplified analysis in a quick and efficient manner for GR and policy adjacent teams.
What has most surprised you so far / what is one thing you have learned thus far?
Prior to this internship, while I was aware of the existence of community banks, I did not know their size and relevance. I’ve learned an immense amount about federal agencies, specifically the SEC and FDIC, and the role they play in regulating financial institutions (a lot of times disproportionately).
Creating presentations and visuals has enhanced my excel skills to a point further than I could have ever imagined. I’ve learned a plethora of professional skills and gained inspiration for ICBA’s passion towards the mission.
