Phillip Yonekawa-Blest
BNY Mellon Summer Analyst Program
A summer-long, full-time internship position in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania entailing several objectives ranging from Global Funds Control to implementing a URA (Unstructured Records Archive) tool systemwide. My largest career takeaway was shadowing a UX designer that would inspire and mentor me in leaping into the pathway.
The SAP internship was one of my most formative experiences. The highlight was shadowing the work of BNY's UX designers. This work experience served to teach and grow me in significant areas I rarely have the opportunity to. This included gaining career insights and skills to function in workplace culture and networking. This internship has influenced and expanded the UX career path I see for myself in the future.
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Case for Good Competition
A global, ESG-aligned case competition hosted by BNY Mellon. They challenged all BNY interns across the globe to create a proposal that would progress the Paris Agreement SDGs.
We created a sustainability diagnostic exam paired with an SLL (Sustainability-Linked Loan) program aimed at solving issues related to SDGs 9, 12, and 13. The program would improve loan accessibility for marginalized business owners, improve and properly incentivize eco-friendly priorities, and increase community identity through minority-owned SMEs.
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In addition to making SME businesses eco-friendly, increasing the likelihood of receiving SLL loans, and avoiding climate redlining. I used self-interest and researched how relevant Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments was to our demographic to explain how we could be certain people would participate.
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The project was awarded second place. As a reward, the project was promised funding and to be carried out by BNY Mellon. My team was awarded a $2,500 grant to donate to a charity of our choice.
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