Melania Fierz
“As someone with broad interests across the finance industry, the opportunity to rotate through multiple areas of the bank while completing real-world projects made it clear that I wanted to be a summer intern.”
My name is Melania Fierz, and I am a rising senior at Samford University double majoring in finance and Spanish with a concentration in real estate. I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Franklin, Tennessee halfway through high school with my family.
I initially discovered Oakworth’s summer internship program on Handshake while searching for finance internships near home. What immediately caught my attention were Oakworth’s Core Values, specifically Golden Rule. That was an immediate confirmation that Oakworth was different, as everything I had heard about financial services had pretty negative connotations of doing things at the expense of others to get ahead. However, this immediate commitment to values mirrored my own and signaled a culture where I knew I could thrive. Learning about the rotational structure solidified my decision to apply. As someone with broad interests across the finance industry, the opportunity to rotate through multiple areas of the bank while completing real-world projects made it clear that I wanted to be a summer intern.
Before my first day even arrived, everyone at Oakworth made me feel genuinely welcome through personal notes and lots of follow-ups. Once the summer began, that translated into countless meaningful relationships and 10 unforgettable weeks filled with lots of learning. Getting to step into the shoes of Oakworth associates, whether that meant digging into credit underwriting, building out financial plans, or sitting in on portfolio strategy conversations, gave me a completely new perspective on banking and financial services. Oakworth’s dedication to redefining financial services is evident in every aspect of the company, and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend my summer here.
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee
School: Samford University
Major: Finance & Spanish with a Real Estate Concentration
One fun fact about you: I’ve never had McDonald’s before.
Hidden Talent: I can sightread most piano music.
What’s your favorite part about your internship? Without question, it’s been the associates and the culture at Oakworth! From day one, every associate, regardless of title or department, was so generous with their time and expertise. Advisors would find me and willingly set aside 30 minutes just to hear about my career aspirations, share their personal journey or walk me through the numerous questions I had for them.
I also loved the collaborative environment among the intern cohort. Working together on real-world projects, applying new concepts side-by-side, and bonding outside the office turned our intern team into a tight-knit group even while I spent most of the summer in the Middle Tennessee office. Oakworth does a phenomenal job of giving you real responsibilities while surrounding you with a supportive safety net that encourages you to ask questions and learn.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? The most valuable thing I’ve learned this summer was that it’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do with your life. Going into the summer, I felt pressure to have every detail of my post grad life mapped out, while still being unsure of what industry I wanted to go into. However, that perspective shifted after I had the opportunity to meet with so many different associates with very unique career paths, from studying English in college to being a professional chef for years. I’ve learned that finding success in your career is more about how you learn, your adaptability and work ethic, and how you problem solve, rather than following the “correct path” to achieve your career goals.
Favorite department: Such a tough choice, but I’d have to say investments or financial planning!
Favorite memory: The pickleball tournament! It was so fun to both play and hang out with all the associates after!
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? I would swap roles with David McGrath. I’m very interested in portfolio management, but I also love that he gets to talk directly with clients and give customized advice on portfolio allocations that make sense for each of their individual goals, needs and risk tolerances.
Oakworth in three words: go! Excellent, Innovative, Collaborative
Tips for future summer associates? Schedule meetings with as many associates as possible! Everyone is so eager to get to know you and wants to be a resource in whatever way they can. Not every meeting has to have a formal agenda. Take the initiative to get to know the associates, listen to their stories and ask as many questions as you can along the way!
Owen Hayden
“Everyone at Oakworth has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the internship program and to the success of each intern. Their decision has allowed me to develop valuable professional knowledge and practical skills that I will carry with me throughout my career.”
Hi, my name is Owen Hayden, and I am an MBA candidate at the University of Alabama with a concentration in corporate finance. I am from Abita Springs, Louisiana, and I have had the pleasure of serving as one of the interns at Oakworth Capital Bank this summer.
I first learned about the internship through a networking event hosted by the Manderson Graduate School. During the event, I had the opportunity to speak with Carly Leibengood and learn more about both the internship program and Oakworth’s unique culture and business model. From that initial conversation to my experience throughout the summer, everyone at Oakworth has been incredibly welcoming, supportive and invested in my growth.
The internship program does an outstanding job of exposing interns to every area of the bank, providing a well-rounded understanding of the business. This experience has helped me identify the areas I am most interested in pursuing as I begin my full-time career. The projects we completed throughout the program were based on real-world situations, giving me valuable hands-on experience. Through both the underwriting and wealth planning projects, I learned far more than I ever expected.
Overall, I could not have made a better decision for my internship experience. Everyone at Oakworth has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the internship program and to the success of each intern. Their dedication has allowed me to develop valuable professional knowledge and practical skills that I will carry with me throughout my career.
Hometown: Abita Springs, Louisiana
School: University of Alabama
Major: Corporate Finance
One fun fact about you: Part of my family is from the Cayman Islands.
Hidden Talent: Naming songs after just a few seconds.
What’s your favorite part about your internship? My favorite part of the internship has been the rotational aspect. This has allowed me to learn about different parts of the bank and figure out what I am most interested in.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? The most valuable thing I have learned is the importance of being proactive and communicating effectively. To be successful, you need the ability to look ahead, anticipate challenges and openly discuss your plans and ideas with your team and the people around you.
Favorite department: My favorite department has been credit. I specifically enjoyed commercial credit as well as the investment department.
Favorite memory: The pickleball tournament! I enjoyed getting to do an activity outside of the office with many of the associates.
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? I would swap roles with Lane Wooley, chief credit officer. He does an outstanding job leading the credit side of Oakworth. I admire his strong leadership, thoughtful decision-making and ability to navigate complex credit situations with confidence. In addition to his expertise, he is a great storyteller, making him someone I would enjoy learning from.
Oakworth in three words: go! Dedicated, Genuine and Personable.
Tips for future summer associates? Meet as many Oakworth associates as you can. Everyone is more than willing to meet with interns, share insights about their roles, and offer valuable advice. One of the best parts of my internship has been knowing that I can always reach out to someone when I want to learn more or have questions. Building those relationships has made the experience even more rewarding.
Sara Pierce
“In almost every conversation I have had at Oakworth this summer, associates give credit to the leader that developed them, the team that surrounds them, or the new associate who pushes them to think outside the box.”
My name is Sara Pierce. I am a rising senior at The University of Alabama where I am majoring in finance with a minor in personal wealth management. I am from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. As I am looking to move to Birmingham after college, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this incredible internship while gaining exposure to the Birmingham area.
I first heard of this internship in February of my sophomore year when Brooke Kline and Annie Lovelady spoke to an organization I was a part of at UA. I instantly fell in love with Oakworth’s values and business model. A couple of months later, I attended a networking opportunity at Oakworth called “Day in the Life.” This event helped me gain a deeper understanding of Oakworth’s story and internship opportunities. After spending just a few hours in the office, I was inspired by each associate’s care for their work and for one another. From that day, I knew that I wanted to intern at Oakworth!
As the summer comes to a close, I can confidently say that my already high expectations of this internship have been exceeded in every way. I have grown so much both personally and professionally in just a short amount of time. Most importantly, I have gained valuable experience and exposure to different areas of the bank, which helped me discover what I enjoy most. The associates and other interns have truly taught me more than I could have imagined and changed the trajectory of my career forever.
Hometown: Muscle Shoals, Alabama
School: University of Alabama
Major: Finance
One fun fact about you: I love tap dancing! I was a competitive dancer growing up, and I really loved to tap. I stopped dancing in high school to focus on cheer and theater, but I kept up with tap dancing and still have a pair of tap shoes at home that I occasionally pull out! My favorite tap move is called a Maxie Ford turn!
Hidden Talent: I’m really good at handstands! I can walk across a whole basketball court on my hands!
What’s your favorite part about your internship? My favorite part of this internship has been the opportunity to explore all parts of the bank. While the main rotations go through credit and wealth, we are consistently encouraged to visit all departments, including marketing, accounting, client support, IT and many others. The professional exposure I have gained in just 10 weeks has exceeded my expectations, and I have had the opportunity to connect and build relationships with so many people in different departments.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? I could go on forever about everything I have learned this summer, but the most valuable thing I’ve learned is the importance of working with good people. In almost every conversation I have had at Oakworth this summer, associates give credit to the leader that developed them, the team that surrounds them, or the new associate who pushes them to think outside of the box. The collaborative and selfless approach at Oakworth have been so inspiring to see in action, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my career.
Favorite department: While I enjoyed both and could see a career in either department, I especially enjoyed the wealth rotation, specifically financial planning.
Favorite memory: I have had so many amazing memories this summer, but one that really sticks out to me is Oakworth University. It was so fun to have a couple of days dedicated to learning the Oakworth story and building relationships with some of the new associates at Oakworth! I really loved going to dinner with everyone on the first night.
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? I would definitely want to swap roles with Jenifer Kimbrough! After having the opportunity to spend some time with her and go to lunch, she is someone that I look up to and aspire to be like. She is patient, kind, and so smart! Her expertise in her role and her ability to understand complex financial topics are qualities I would love to experience firsthand for a day! And, she has the best office in the bank by far!
Oakworth in three words: go! Intentional, Supportive, Ambitious
Tips for future summer associates? Do not be afraid to meet with people and ask questions! Every associate at Oakworth wants you to succeed and discover what you love to do! Be curious and “ask questions that lead to understanding!”- Lane Wooley
Quinn Torres
“This internship has given me the opportunity to work alongside exceptional mentors in each department while also providing meaningful, hands-on experience through projects and presentations. The firsthand exposure has allowed me to develop a much deeper understand of each team’s day-to-day responsibilities and has helped me better visualize how the different areas of the business work together.”
My name is Quinn Torres and I am from Charlotte, NC. I am currently a rising senior at Auburn University studying finance and am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at Oakworth this summer.
I first heard about Oakworth during an Auburn Finance Society meeting where Sam Scalici came to speak with us. He introduced an event called “Day in the Life”, and I was extremely impressed after hearing all about Oakworth’s culture and Core Values. I immediately decided to sign up as I felt that everything he was saying aligned with what I was looking for in a work environment. After attending the spring event, I was hooked. I knew that Oakworth was somewhere that I would be able to learn and grow as I would have the best mentors beside me, so I continued networking and as soon as the application opened, I was quick to submit mine!
Since having started the internship program, every expectation that I had going into it has been blown out of the water. The rotational aspect at Oakworth has provided me with first hand exposure to each branch of the bank leaving me with a well-rounded learning experience.
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
School: Auburn University
Major: Finance
One fun fact about you: I have watched the television series “Friends” through and through eight times now!
Hidden Talent: One of my hidden talents is cutting hair!
What’s your favorite part about your internship? My favorite part of the internship program would have to be the rotational aspect of it. Coming into the summer, I knew I was very interested in wealth management, as it was the area I had previously devoted most of my time. However, I had limited exposure to the credit side of the business.
This internship has given me the opportunity to work alongside exceptional mentors in each department while also providing meaningful, hands-on experience through projects and presentations. That firsthand exposure has allowed me to develop a much deeper understanding of each team’s day-to-day responsibilities and has helped me better visualize how the different areas of the business work together.
Most valuable thing you’ve learned? One of the most valuable lessons I learned is the importance of asking questions. Approaching new experiences with curiosity and seeking clarification early on has not only accelerated my learning process but has also helped me to foster a deeper understanding of the work I am doing and the reasoning behind it!
Favorite department: Wealth Management
Favorite memory: My favorite memory from the internship was presenting my financial plan to the Advisory Services team alongside my “clients.” It was incredibly rewarding to see how relationship-driven financial planning truly is. I enjoyed getting to know my clients’ families, goals, and personal circumstances, and it was especially meaningful to see how the recommendations we developed could have a positive impact on their financial future. The entire wealth team created an engaging learning environment and the thoughtful feedback they provided us with made the experience even more valuable!
Outside of work, I really enjoyed participating in the intern pickleball tournament! It was a great opportunity to spend time with everyone in a more relaxed setting and get to know the other interns better beyond the office. While my partner Sara and I were not the best, we had an incredible time playing together. After we were eliminated, we had just as much fun cheering on the remaining teams and watching some surprisingly competitive matches unfold!
If you could swap roles with anyone at Oakworth for a day, who would it be and why? If I could swap roles with someone at Oakworth for a day, it would be Matt Satterfield. One of the aspects I enjoy the most about the wealth side of the bank is the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships with clients. Matt’s role is exactly that as he serves as the “quarterback” of the client relationship with the bank.
Having the opportunity to sit in on client meetings and observe how he communicates, follows up, and builds trust has been incredibly valuable. It has been inspiring to see the confidence his clients place in him and the relationships he has cultivated over time. That level of trust is something that I aspire to develop throughout my career.
Beyond his work with clients, Matt has been an incredible mentor. He is always willing to share his knowledge, teach us specific concepts, and provide us with ample exposure to what he is currently working on. His mentorship has had a significant impact on my learning experience this summer!
Oakworth in three words: go! Genuine, Principled, Dependable
Tips for future summer associates? My biggest piece of advice is to never be afraid to ask questions. One of the things that makes Oakworth so unique is how genuine and supportive everyone is. Every associate that I worked with was willing to invest time in my growth, and I quickly realized there is no such thing as a “dumb” question. Bringing curiosity and a willingness to learn was the most valuable thing that I did this summer, and it allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of both the work and people behind it!
I would also encourage future interns to take advantage of every opportunity available to them! Sitting in on meetings outside of your assigned rotation will give you a broader perspective on how the different areas of the bank work together to overall serve clients. The 10 weeks fly by so every meeting, conversation and project is an opportunity to learn!