Internship Story: Nico Soucy for WOW Payments

During the summer of 2021, Nico Soucy got a little bit closer to his dream of living and working in New York City. The Finance and Financial Economics double major from Sabattus, Maine, landed a summer internship in the Big Apple with WOW Payments. Their offices are located in the heart of New York’s Financial District.

What interested you about this internship?

I was impressed with WOW Payments after looking into the company culture and reviews.

What did you like most about your internship at WOW Payments?

I appreciated the level of respect given to me. I am a big advocate for a horizontal business structure, and right from day one, my supervisors valued my input. Any question I had was always happily answered by upper-level management. I also loved the travel aspect of it. Spending a day “in the field” meant I was out and about in New York and New Jersey. I got to see all sorts of amazing things that I might have missed out on if I were sitting in an office all day, every day.

What did you do as a Business Development Specialist intern?

Daily, I spoke with business owners and upper-level executives via the phone, email, or in-person at their businesses. I received more responsibility as I progressed through the internship. I eventually worked directly with Mr. Daniel Valle, the VP of the company. I also worked with the Talent Acquisition Manager to review applicants and train incoming interns. In my final weeks, I worked closely with Ms. Romina Carvaca, the talent acquisition manager. I also attended training sessions on market competition, WOW Payments solutions, and their technical equipment.

There was a barrier to you accepting the position. Can you tell us about it and how you overcame it?

My main barrier was financial. I wanted to get work experience during the summer as a rising junior, so I applied for internships all over the country. Once I accepted the position in NYC, my finances were at the front of my mind. Lodging was my biggest challenge. Finding a place to live in New York City for three months on such short notice is not exactly easy or inexpensive. With the help of Dean Gilbert; Taylor Ashley, MBS Internship Coordinator; and Cindy D’Angelo from the Advising Center, I was able to receive scholarship funds to help me afford this incredible internship experience. I’m so grateful.

I lived in Tribeca, Midtown, Brooklyn, and the Bronx during my stay there. Living in four different places with different people over the summer was a challenge that I happily overcame. It was great meeting so many new people, even though it was definitely stressful at times.

What was it like spending a summer in New York City?

I love New York City. My dream for a very long time has been to live and work in the city. Being able to experience it was absolutely amazing. I was able to see the city from many angles, whether it was through work, visiting all sorts of different businesses, or with friends from the city that would show me their favorite spots.

What are some things you learned during your internship that you couldn’t have learned in the classroom?

Communication and organization. Yes, I have taken public speaking and other such courses. Still, I genuinely believe that once you are forced to communicate with business owners, CEOs, and accountants every day, you absolutely must have effective and efficient communication and organization skills. I learn best by doing—and I practiced these skills every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for three months. I learned very fast.

How do you think this experience will help you after graduation?

Working in sales will help me for the rest of my life. The experience you gain when being thrown all sorts of curveballs by business owners is priceless. When you must keep track of thousands of names, phone numbers, emails, notes, and much more, it is a significant experience that will help anybody for the rest of their lives.

What would you say to other students considering an internship—especially one that may seem beyond their means?

I say go for it! Having this internship has changed my outlook on my education and how I present myself every day. It has shaped my future goals and has given me incredible experience that I would not have gotten any other way. I can say with my experience that even though you may have to give up some things in the short term—like a nice apartment, extravagant meals, and other such luxuries—it is 100% worth every second. I am beyond excited for next summer and my next internship.

Nico Soucy
Class of 2022
Hometown: Sabattus, Maine
Internship employer: WOW Payments
Majors: Finance & Financial Economics