What do Bessel Origin participants get out of the program?
We interviewed Hugo Valverde, a participant in the fall 2020 cohort. Hugo worked on the cordless electrosurgery team, marketing a medical device. A recent finance grad from Texas Tech, Hugo lives in Texas and is working toward a full-time role in the finance industry.
What attracted you to the Bessel Origin Program?
"I was attracted to the program's goal, which is providing real life experience working on company sponsor projects. Plus, I wanted to actually apply some of the stuff I learned at school. Bessel was an opportunity during a pandemic when most people were being laid off. Bessel found a way to help college students."
What did you learn from being part of the Bessel Origin Program?
"The knowledge I learned in school applied to real-world projects my team and I were working on. I was able to build a strong foundation and work efficiently with a group of people. It also allowed me to gain industry experience and expand my market analysis knowledge."
How is Bessel Origin different from an internship or class? What makes it different from other programs?
“Most classes and internships have very specific guidelines. Bessel Origin is much more open and self-guided. While the program gave us a bit of direction, how we went about meeting the goals was entirely up to us. By participating in Bessel Origin, you have the opportunity to have full control of your project and present it in a way that is beneficial for your career path."
How did Bessel help you towards your career goals?
"Wealth management firms I had applied to before that did not offer me interviews are now allowing me to interview because of the experience I gained through Bessel. During my interviews, Bessel is the one thing I talk about because of the opportunity to work on real-world projects and learn concepts I now apply to roles I am interviewing for."
What is next for you?
"I want to start by saying I am extremely glad for the opportunities Bessel has brought me. Every recent grad should look into participating in the next cohorts. As for what is next, I am excited to land a role at a wealth management firm and to be able to use my new and improved resume to find a good fit for a job."
We enjoyed catching up with Hugo and beyond grateful that Bessel has helped him land interviews! We wish Hugo the best of luck in his job search.
If you’re a recent college grad looking for real-world work experience and mentorship from experienced professionals, apply to the Spring 2021 cohort of the Bessel Origin program.