The Iconic New York City Internships of NYU Students: Part Three

Monette Tarvaran, a junior Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering major at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, landed a dream New York City internship that combines her passion for engineering with her love of beauty. She’s a product development intern at Makeup by Mario, a luxury makeup brand led by Mario Dedivanovic. You may know him as Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist!

Monette’s responsibilities include supporting new product launches and conducting competitive research to support formula and collection ideation. Still, her tasks vary widely, with opportunities to get involved in many areas. “As the company’s only intern, I get to support other departments, from product development to packaging and marketing. Because of this, every day is unique and exciting,” she says.

Looking ahead, Monette hopes to work at a skincare company and focus on the science and formulation side of product development. This internship has provided her with skills and experience that directly apply to her dream career. “Working at a celebrity beauty brand requires a high level of professionalism,” she explains. “I truly enjoy gaining experience in such an environment. What’s more, working with an amazingly talented team and seeing the behind-the-scenes process of creating beauty products is incredibly special.”

For students interested in landing a similar internship, Monette shares this advice: “Network, network, network. It takes time and effort to build connections, but it only takes one person to open a door.”

Mopesola Elabanjo, a Finance and Management major at NYU Stern School of Business, interned as an analyst at Goldman Sachs last summer. As part of the Client Solutions Group within the asset management division, she helped deliver tailored investment solutions to clients. Her responsibilities included conducting market analysis, evaluating fund performance, and taking notes during meetings to support decision-making, among other responsibilities.

“Interns are given meaningful work that enhances their exposure to the asset management industry,” says Mopesola. “They also have the opportunity to continuously learn and develop a deeper understanding of market trends and client solutions. The ability to bridge investment strategy and client engagement makes every task feel stimulating and relevant to the firm’s success.”

Mopesola found it fascinating to see the financial concepts she learned at NYU Stern applied in the real world at a top global investment company. At the same time, her New York City internship illustrated just how much more there is to discover. She looks forward to continuing at Goldman Sachs in a full-time role after graduating this spring. “What excites me the most is being part of an environment that values learning, innovation, and collaboration,” she says. “Every challenge presents an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.”

As seniors at NYU Silver School of Social Work, students complete a one-year practicum that builds real-world experience and allows them to apply classroom theories in the field. For her practicum, Olivia Nilsson, a Social Work and Global Public Health double major, interns as an intake specialist at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC). Founded in 1982, GMHC was the first HIV/AIDS community service agency in the United States and remains a leading service organization today.

Olivia’s primary responsibility is conducting agency intakes and client assessments to determine the resources that best meet client needs. Then, she connects them to a range of support services from housing assistance to health-care and job search resources. “Working with and witnessing the resilience and vibrancy of the population GMHC serves is a huge privilege,” says Olivia. “Working in the intake department feels especially meaningful. There, clients can address their needs and receive direct referrals to ameliorate the struggles they are facing. Because of this, the work feels high-impact and rewarding.”

Olivia’s goal is to become a clinical psychologist after graduation. Her experiences at this New York City internship are highly valuable for her future career. “This experience has taught me a tremendous amount about the populations I hope to serve. Furthermore, I’ve learned about the type of social work that excites me and the type of mental health professional I aspire to be in the future,” she affirms.