Bravera Bank
Ben Carlson joined Bravera in February 2024 for a part-time internship with Bravera Wealth while attending Dickinson State University. He worked most closely with Chelsey Tostenrud, retirement plan advisor, as his supervisor. During the summer months, he moved to a full-time internship and will be rotating through several different departments, including wealth, private banking, credit analysis, doc imaging, and other departments. Here is what he had to say about his internship so far:
What made you interested in an internship with Bravera?
I became interested in an internship with Bravera after taking my business classes at Dickinson State University (DSU). I quickly became very interested in banking, but I was unsure specifically which direction I wanted to go, and this internship has been great in helping me explore different pathways within the bank. Bravera is also very active in the community, putting on and sponsoring events, so I knew Bravera was the bank I wanted to learn at.
What new knowledge have you gained from your internship so far?
From this internship, I have learned many valuable skills to be successful. I have learned how to communicate and ask for help to get tasks done quickly and correctly, how to use my time efficiently, how to build relationships with customers, and I feel that my overall communication skills have greatly increased by talking to new people at the bank every day.
What has been the most rewarding part of your internship?
The most rewarding part of this internship has been the growth I have seen in myself. When I started, I was nervous about messing up or not being able to complete the tasks I was given fast enough. But over time, I have gotten better every single day, and the people who oversee me coached me to help me get there. I quickly learned that Bravera is like a small community, and everyone here wants to help and see you succeed and will be more than happy to take the time out of their day to help no matter how busy they are.
What would you say to a student who is thinking about an internship with Bravera?
I would say absolutely do it. I have learned more here than I could ever learn in school. The people and the culture Bravera has are in place to see you succeed and help you reach your goals. It is a great opportunity to see how a bank relies on different people in different departments to succeed. You will get a chance to work all around the bank, from relationship banking to the wealth department. I feel it is a great opportunity if you want to explore the world of banking and business.