Chapel Intern gains global finance experience at World Bank Treasury

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When Daniel Garcia Calao came to Penn State from Bogotá, Colombia, he hoped earning a college degree in the United States would open new opportunities. Four years later, his Penn State journey has taken him from Penn State Abington to Penn State University Park and, most recently, to Washington, D.C., for a summer internship with World Bank Treasury.

Garcia Calao, who is dual majoring in economics and finance with a minor in supply chain and information systems, spent the summer completing a rotational internship with World Bank Treasury. There, he worked with three teams, gaining experience in pensions, asset and liability operations, and advisory services.

“It was a truly global experience that strengthened both my technical skill set and my understanding of international financial institutions,” Garcia Calao said.

As a Chapel Executive Intern, Garcia Calao received enrichment funding through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network to help cover his housing expenses in Washington. He also enrolled in LA 495 Undergraduate Field Experience, a half-credit course designed to help students reflect on and make the most of their internship experiences.

“The Chapel Executive Internship made the summer possible,” Garcia Calao said. “The funding covered my summer housing, which allowed me to save and invest my money and work toward my financial future.”

Garcia Calao was born and raised in Colombia and began his Penn State experience at the Abington campus. As an international student adjusting to a new environment, he found community through campus involvement, eventually serving as president of the Latine Student Organization and participating in student government and Lion Ambassadors.

After two years, he transitioned to the University Park campus, where he continued building his network and pursuing leadership opportunities.

Garcia Calao’s interest in economics and finance continued to grow as he progressed through Penn State. He added economics as a second major to broaden his knowledge and strengthen his preparation for internships and a career in finance. Courses in microeconomics, statistics and environmental economics gave him experience with concepts that he later encountered at World Bank Treasury, including central banking, economic policy and how different economies operate.

Networking also played a major role in helping Garcia Calao find his internship. His path to the World Bank began after attending a Penn State Global Careers Institute event where a Penn State alumnus who worked at the World Bank spoke.

Garcia Calao reached out to the alumnus after the event to learn more, and that conversation helped introduce him to an organization where he had never pictured himself working.

“The whole reason I applied to the World Bank was because of that event,” Garcia Calao said. “Attend events because you never know what opportunities will arise. I wouldn’t have seen myself working at the World Bank before that.”

After getting an interview, Garcia Calao continued using networking to prepare. He reached out to professionals through LinkedIn, including one connection who eventually became a mentor. Those conversations helped him prepare for his interview, better understand the World Bank and think about what he wanted to do after graduation.

He said his favorite rotation was in the pensions department. Because he previously completed an investment internship, he was familiar with some of the work and felt he could demonstrate the skills he had developed. He worked on two projects and was able to see how his work continued to progress after his rotation ended.

“Sometimes interns can feel like the work they’re doing isn’t important,” Garcia Calao said. “Seeing how something I worked on progressed showed me that the work I did provided value to the team.”

Garcia Calao said his international background became an asset during an internship that brought him into contact with colleagues from around the world. Fluent in Spanish and Italian, he was able to draw on his language skills and experience navigating different cultures.

“Being able to communicate properly with people across the world is important,” Garcia Calao said.

Thanks to the Chapel Executive Internship Program, Garcia Calao was able to live right in Washington rather than having to find less expensive housing farther away. Living in Washington also gave Garcia Calao the opportunity to experience the city beyond his internship. He stayed in George Washington University housing, managed his daily commute and explored museums and monuments with fellow interns.

After he graduates this fall, Garcia Calao will join the pensions department at the World Bank where he completed part of his internship. He said he also hopes to eventually attend graduate school.