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Ella Embolm
“The technical skills I’ve gained are invaluable, but what has impressed me most is the culture. It is welcoming, supportive and genuinely focused on growth.”
My name is Ella Emblom, and I had the incredible opportunity of being the Data Analytics intern at Oakworth Capital Bank this summer. I’m a Birmingham native and a rising senior at the University of Georgia, where I recently completed my undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems. I’ll spend my final year earning a Master of Science in Business Analytics.
Having long been familiar with Oakworth’s strong presence and reputation, I reached out to an associate about internship opportunities that aligned with my interest in data and technology. From my first conversation with Brooke Kline, I could tell Oakworth was different. Her warmth and enthusiasm stood out, and the company’s culture and values quickly confirmed this was a place I wanted to be.
The internship has exceeded every expectation. The technical skills I’ve gained are invaluable, but what has impressed me most is the culture. It is welcoming, supportive and genuinely focused on growth. I’ve been trusted with meaningful work, treated like a team member and encouraged at every step. This experience has strengthened not only my skills but also my confidence as I prepare to begin my career.
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
School: University of Georgia
Major: Management Information Systems
One fun fact about you: There are two sets of twins in my family!
Hidden Talent: Wake surfing
What’s your favorite part about your internship? Without a doubt, the people! From day one, every associate I’ve interacted with has been incredibly welcoming, approachable and eager to support my growth. Whether it’s casual conversations, team meetings, or one-on-one mentoring, everyone takes the time to get to know you and offer their insight. The supportive and encouraging culture has made a huge impact on my experience and has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the internship.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? Throughout my internship, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of how data supports business operations and decision-making. I learned the structure and purpose of the data warehouse and underlying databases, including how to create tables and automate data processes to improve efficiency. I also gained insight into how Oakworth defines and tracks key performance indicators (KPIs), and how those metrics guide strategic decisions across departments. Additionally, being part of conversations around growth planning have given me valuable perspective on how data informs long-term vision and company direction.
Favorite department: Technology
Favorite memory: The pickleball tournament
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? I would love to swap roles with Sam Scalici, the Chief Operating Officer. He oversees so many interesting parts of the company, like client experience, digital and marketing efforts, banking and wealth strategy, operations and even the overall data strategy. As someone who’s really interested in data and how it supports big-picture decisions, I think it would be amazing to see how all those pieces come together at the leadership level. It’d be a great way to learn how strategy is built and how different teams work toward the same goals.
Oakworth in three words: go! Welcoming, motivating and innovative
Tips for future summer associates? Take full advantage of the opportunity by connecting with as many people as you can and asking thoughtful questions. Every associate at Oakworth is genuinely invested in your success and more than willing to share their knowledge and experience. Make the most of your time here because there’s so much to learn, and the more you put into the experience, the more you’ll get out of it.
Elise Hart
“Their guidance made a lasting impact, and the lessons I have learned here are ones I will carry with me throughout my career.”
My name is Elise Hart! I am a rising junior at Auburn University, majoring in Finance and minoring in Information Systems Management. I am from Hoover, Alabama. I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such an amazing internship while still getting to be with my family.
I first heard of this internship through Melissa Mann, who invited me to a spring event held at Oakworth called “Day in the Life,” which is a condensed version of the internship where you get exposed to various areas and leaders at Oakworth. That was my first taste of Oakworth’s strong culture and business model. I knew from that point on that I wanted to apply for the internship. When I researched Oakworth’s internship, what stood out most to me was the rotational structure. As someone who was unsure about which path to pursue in finance, I saw it as an excellent way to explore different areas of the bank. The broad exposure in a relatively short period helped me identify the areas I’m most passionate about.
As the summer ends, I can confidently say that choosing to intern at Oakworth was one of the best decisions I have made. Over the past 10 weeks, I have gained valuable knowledge not only about the many dimensions of the finance industry but also from the incredible people I have had the chance to work with. The associates at Oakworth consistently took the time to share their insights, experiences, and advice with me and the other interns. Their guidance made a lasting impact, and the lessons I have learned here are ones I will carry with me throughout my career.
Hometown: Hoover, Alabama
School: Auburn University
Major: Finance
One fun fact about you: I love learning new things! I am in the process of learning how to play golf and play tennis. It has been a challenge, but a fun one and I am proud of my progress.
Hidden Talent: I can make some amazing coffee! I’ve been a barista for about three years, and it’s been the most fun and fast-paced job I could ask for. I love that coffee has a rich history and involves fascinating science, yet it also has the incredible power to bring people together.
What’s your favorite part about your internship? My favorite part of the internship is the people. I’ve developed meaningful friendships with fellow interns and have felt continuous support from Oakworth’s associates throughout my experience. Every associate truly embodies Oakworth’s commitment to the Golden Rule, and their genuine investment in my growth shines through in their eagerness to help me learn and fuel my curiosity.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? The most valuable thing I’ve learned at Oakworth is the importance of being well spoken. I’ve had the opportunity to listen to both leaders and associates share their ideas in group settings, and I saw firsthand the impact of clear and confident communication. This was especially evident during loan committee meetings, where big deals were proposed and debated, and where every factor influencing the loan was carefully discussed.
Favorite department: Both rotations were absolutely amazing! However, if I had to choose, I’d say Financial Planning stood out the most. I really enjoyed the challenge of being prepared to speak confidently with clients—explaining complex concepts clearly and anticipating their questions. That proactive, client-focused approach was incredibly motivating for me.
Favorite memory: One of my favorite memories was the feeling I had after presenting both my financial plan and my loan to the loan committee. It was such a memorable moment filled with a strong sense of accomplishment. I was proud of how much I had learned and felt truly prepared even though I was a little nervous. I’m proud of myself for pushing through, and I’m incredibly grateful to my amazing mentors who guided me every step of the way. I honestly couldn’t have done it without their support.
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? If I could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, it would be Janet Ball, the CAL Wealth Team Lead. It’s clear she’s an expert in her field, and her dedication to growth and excellence is inspiring. I admire how well she juggles responsibilities and truly cares for her clients. She is invested in their stories and doing what is best for them.
Oakworth in three words: go! Innovative, genuine, professional
Tips for future summer associates? Don’t be shy. Take initiative in building relationships. Not every conversation needs to be a formal meeting. Some of the most meaningful connections I made started by simply popping into someone’s office or chatting in the hallway. Those casual moments often led to deeper mentorship, learning and trust.
Jacob Kim
“I’m confident that the knowledge I have gained in this internship will help me succeed in my future career as a data scientist, and I could not be happier that I had the opportunity to intern at Oakworth.”
Hello, my name is Jacob Kim. I am a senior at the University of Alabama studying mathematics and economics.
I first learned about Oakworth when searching for Data Science internships. After applying, I was blown away with the level of care and thoughtfulness I experienced during the interview process. I quickly realized that this was a company that cared about me as an individual, instead of just the work that I could do.
This summer has truly exceeded my expectations and been an extremely valuable experience for me. I have had the opportunity to learn and work with cutting edge AI tools to create a company chatbot, analyze client data through machine learning, utilize web scraping technology to scrape and transform novel datasets and so much more.
I’m confident that the knowledge I have gained in this internship will help me succeed in my future career as a data scientist, and I could not be happier that I had the opportunity to intern at Oakworth.
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
School: University of Alabama
Major: Mathematics/Economics
One fun fact about you: I had blonde hair when I was a baby
Hidden Talent: Mental math
What’s your favorite part about your internship? My favorite part is the projects I have had the opportunity to work on. They were interesting and challenging and really helped me learn a lot.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? The level of detail and care you need to put in to ensure that code is production-ready. The real-life application has been very different compared to projects you see in school.
Favorite department: Data
Favorite memory: My favorite memory was the pickleball tournament. I had never played before and it was fun to learn a new sport.
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? I’d swap roles with Jeremy Farr, the Digital Products Leader. He seems to be involved in so many different projects and initiatives and I’d love to get to work with so many different people at the bank.
Oakworth in three words: go! Really awesome bank.
Tips for future summer associates? Go above and beyond. Take ownership of your projects and take them as far as they can go.
Allen Clark May II
“The most valuable thing I have learned has been the importance of having great character. If you treat others well and are reliable, people will be willing to invest their time and resources into you!”
My name is Allen Clark May II and I was born in Fairhope, Alabama. I grew up in Massachusetts before moving to Houston, and I just graduated from Trinity University in the spring with a major in Finance. I love to be active and play many different sports such as basketball and golf; I also enjoy cooking!
I learned about Oakworth’s internship program through family that lives in Birmingham. What most intrigued me was their emphasis on Core Values and the fact that Oakworth takes an extremely personal and tailored approach to banking. My own experiences with other banks have always been extremely transactional, so I wanted to be part of a bank that truly cared about putting their clients first. What has stuck out most to me is that Oakworth takes that same approach not only with their associates, but also with the interns. Everyone truly cares about each other’s success both inside and outside the workplace.
The internship’s rotational aspect also interested me and the whole program has exceeded my expectations. Coming in, I had little knowledge of how banks operate, and I had no idea which department I would be most interested in. This internship has given me a better idea of what career I want to pursue and the different projects in each rotation were very informative! Getting to underwrite our own loan and create a financial plan gave me great insight into some of the daily projects that associates do and they filled so many gaps that I had not learned in college!
Overall, I have had a great experience and am extremely grateful for my time at Oakworth!
Hometown: Houston, Texas
School: Trinity University
Major: Finance
One fun fact about you: I have lived in nine different cities!
Hidden Talent: I do music production on the side and have gotten to produce for hundreds of local and international artists!
What’s your favorite part about your internship? Without a doubt my favorite part of the internship has been the people. Everyone at Oakworth has made themselves a resource and taught me so much about the different functions of a bank.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? The most valuable thing I have learned has been the importance of having great character. If you treat others well and are reliable, people will be willing to invest their time and resources into you!
Favorite department: While I did really enjoy the Financial Planning rotation, my favorite department was credit!
Favorite memory: The Pickleball Tournament has been my favorite memory, even though my team was a first-round exit. Seeing everyone outside of the office in a more relaxed but competitive setting was super fun!
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? I would swap roles with John Norris, Head of Investments and Thought Leadership. Being able to evaluate the economy, look at different stock holdings and give my insight on it seems like it would be a fun time! He is also a great writer and storyteller, so I would love to learn from him and see how he incorporates that into his Thought Leadership pieces.
Oakworth in three words: go! Relationships, solutions, service
Tips for future summer associates? Ask questions. Any that you can think of. Everyone is more than willing to help out and you will learn so much more about each department by asking them. There is also no such thing as a dumb question.
Margaret Nichols
“The hands-on projects were especially meaningful. In the Credit rotation, we underwrote a loan and presented it to a mock loan committee. In Financial Planning, we built custom financial plans. These experiences challenged me and built my confidence.”
Hi everyone! My name is Margaret Nichols, and I’m a rising senior at the University of Alabama studying Finance and Spanish. I’m originally from Birmingham and heard great things about Oakworth growing up. I first learned about the internship from Brooke Kline at a UA recruiting event, and her description of Oakworth’s culture and people really stood out to me.
One of the things I appreciated most was the rotational structure. It gave me exposure to different areas of the bank and helped me think through potential career paths. From the start, the people at Oakworth have been welcoming, supportive and eager to help us learn.
The hands-on projects were especially meaningful. In the Credit rotation, we underwrote a loan and presented it to a mock loan committee. In Financial Planning, we built custom financial plans. These experiences challenged me and built my confidence.
Throughout the summer, we’ve had access to associates across the company who generously shared their time and insights. Oakworth’s commitment to our learning was clear every step of the way. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and feel lucky to have spent the summer here.
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
School: University of Alabama
Major: Finance and Spanish
One fun fact about you: My grandmother is from a small town in Austria, and I have extended family there. I’ve been fortunate to visit several times!
Hidden Talent: I was a competitive dancer growing up and especially loved clogging! In fact, I won the talent show at my elementary school with my clogging routine!
What’s your favorite part about your internship? Obviously, it has to be the people! Everyone at Oakworth truly embodies the company’s culture and Core Values, and it’s been inspiring to be surrounded by such genuine, driven individuals. The relationships I’ve built with all the associates and fellow interns have been one of the most rewarding parts of the internship.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? The importance of soaking up as much knowledge and experience as possible. This internship has shown me how valuable it is to stay curious, ask questions, and take full advantage of every opportunity to connect with people across the organization. The more I’ve immersed myself in different areas, the more confident and prepared I’ve felt. I’ve realized how much there is to learn just by being present and engaged.
Favorite department: Credit
Favorite memory: The credit patio party
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? If I could switch roles with anyone at Oakworth, I would love to switch with Lane Wooley, Chief Credit Officer. I would love to see how he evaluates risk at a high-level. I would find it interesting to take a deep dive into the loans that have not performed well and understand the bigger picture behind why and how that shapes the future lending decisions. I also think it would be fun to live in his head for a day!
Oakworth in three words: go! Welcoming, innovative, purposeful
Tips for future summer associates? Be present, ask questions, and take full advantage of every opportunity to learn. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, whether it’s presenting in front of a group, reaching out to someone for a shadowing opportunity, or diving into a part of banking you know little about.
Sam Woodfin
“Since day one, this internship has completely blown my expectations out of the water. The associates and leadership team have put so much time and effort into making sure we learn and grow.”
Hi, I’m Sam Woodfin, a rising senior at Auburn University, double majoring in Finance and Marketing. This summer, I had the privilege of being one of the finance interns at Oakworth. I first heard about the internship from a friend who interned here a few years ago. She had nothing but great things to say about her experience and Oakworth’s Core Values, which really sparked my interest in applying.
From the start of the interview process, I felt genuinely supported and could tell that Oakworth’s culture was something special. Everyone I met seemed to truly enjoy working here, and that energy was easy to see. Since day one, this internship has completely blown my expectations out of the water. The associates and leadership team have put so much time and effort into making sure we learn and grow.
Two highlights for me were presenting a mock financial plan during the wealth and financial planning rotation and underwriting a loan that we later presented to the loan committee during the credit rotation. These experiences, plus so many more, have taught me so much, and I’m now walking away with knowledge and confidence that I’ll carry into my future career. It truly was the best summer ever, and I feel incredibly grateful to have spent the past 10 weeks with such an amazing group of people.
Hometown: Prattville, Alabama
School: Auburn University
Major: Finance and Marketing
One fun fact about you: I interned with Auburn Athletics’ Fan Experience Department and got to shoot the Whataburger t-shirt cannon at a football game!
Hidden Talent: Not necessarily a hidden talent, but I know a ton of random facts about a bunch of the U.S. Presidents!
What’s your favorite part about your internship? The rotational aspect! I’ve been able to learn from multiple areas within the bank, including wealth & credit.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? The importance of asking questions and developing meaningful connections with the people you work with. Everyone at Oakworth is so willing to share what they know, and taking the time to learn from them has made a huge difference in my experience.
Favorite department: Such a hard choice, but I have to go with credit!
Favorite memory: The site visit to Kinetic, one of Oakworth’s clients.
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? I would choose John Norris, Oakworth’s Head of Investments & Thought Leadership. Throughout the internship, I’ve been able to learn about investments and the broader economy from his extensive experience and knowledge within the industry. I’d love to step into his shoes and learn more about the strategic side of portfolio management and investment decisions.
Oakworth in three words: go! Collaboration, innovation, excellence
Tips for future summer associates? Soak it all in and ask questions! The summer flies by so try to learn as much as you can. You truly get out what you put in.
Interested in applying for Oakworth’s 2026 internship? Our application is live from Aug. 11 through Oct. 17, 2025.