Robert Levine
As the weather starts to chill in Iowa City, my excitement is ramping up to return to Orlando, Florida in the spring. I spent the summer with Darden Restaurants, working as an intern with their finance team, and have accepted an offer to return in the spring. I spent the summer with Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group on the Finance Team evaluating three of Darden’s seven brands: The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52. I had an amazing summer with Darden!
When Darden extended me an offer, I quickly jumped on it and starting making plans to return. The team that I worked with over the summer taught me a lot and set me up for success. These were the kind of people I wanted to work with after graduating from Tippie.
In the spring, I will join Darden in a Finance role. I have not yet received my placement with a specific department. I could be working with the Treasury Team, Investor Relations, a Brand Finance Team, or even with their new Strategy Team. Whichever team I end up on, Tippie has helped me build the skills necessary to succeed. Some of the most important lessons I have learned at Tippie have been learned outside of the classroom. The lessons I expect to provide me the greatest value are the power of diversity, teamwork, and networking. Though I came back to get my MBA to hone my hard skills, I will be leaving with so much more!
Recruiting is really starting to ramp up right now, and it is awesome to see my peers sign offers with investment banking firms in Chicago and interview with amazing companies all across the United States like Amazon, Gallup, Goldman Sachs, and Citi Group. I will be sad as we all go our separate ways in the spring, but look forward to visiting the life long friends I have made at Tippie, wherever their careers may take them.
The past 18 months have been amazing here at Tippie! Sad as I am to leave, I am excited for the next chapter. I am so proud to be a part of the Tippie MBA class of 2011!
