Graduate Intern - Public Markets Portfolio Construction

A Graduate Intern in Public Markets Portfolio Construction at the New York City Comptroller’s Office will assist the Portfolio Construction team in numerous ways. Key responsibilities include checking data integrity to ensure that all investment data is accurate, modifying and creating templates for reporting purposes, and working with BarraOne to enhance the portfolio management process. The intern will also focus on coding solutions to streamline existing operations and will work on reviewing and improving current presentations to effectively communicate investment strategies.

To be eligible for the Graduate Intern position in Public Markets Portfolio Construction at the New York City Comptroller’s Office, candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited college, university, or law school. This position is designed for students who are keen on developing their skills in public finance and investment management, and continual matriculation at the graduate school is a condition of employment.

The Graduate Intern in Public Markets Portfolio Construction at the New York City Comptroller’s Office will work in-person at the David Dinkins Municipal Building in Manhattan. The schedule consists of 28 hours per week spread from Monday to Thursday, allowing interns to balance their academic commitments while accumulating valuable professional experience.

A Graduate Intern can play a significant role in contributing to exceptional investment outcomes at the New York City Comptroller’s Office by assisting in daily operations that impact the management of pension portfolios. Making accurate data checks, creating efficient reporting templates, and coding new solutions help streamline processes. Each of these tasks supports the Bureau of Asset Management's goal of being a responsible steward of City resources, thereby benefiting all stakeholders involved.

The duration of the Graduate Internship in Public Markets Portfolio Construction at the New York City Comptroller’s Office is set from June 2 to July 31, 2025. This roughly two-month period is designed for intensive learning and development, equipping interns with hands-on experience in public finance and portfolio construction.

When answering this question, highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or internships that relate to public finance and investment. Emphasize analytical skills and any experience with investment tools or coding. Discuss how these experiences equipped you with a robust understanding of asset management and portfolio construction.

To ensure data integrity in financial reporting, focus on the processes you would implement or follow. Discuss specific methods, such as cross-referencing data,regular audits, or leveraging analytical tools. Stress your attention to detail and how you would document changes to maintain an accurate financial record.

When describing an experience about improving a process or template, utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result). Detail the initial challenge, your specific role in addressing it, the actions you took to improve the template or process, and the positive outcomes resulting from your intervention.

Discuss any background you have with BarraOne or equivalent tools. If you haven't worked with these programs, express your keen interest in learning and how your programming or analytical skills can translate into a quick understanding of these systems. Highlight any coursework or personal projects that involved similar concepts.

When addressing this question, express your alignment with the office's mission and values. Highlight your commitment to public service and how the role fits into your career goals, particularly your interest in public finance and asset management. Share how contributing to the financial health of a major city excites you and aligns with your academic pursuits.

Demonstrate your time management and prioritization skills by providing strategies you use to handle tight deadlines. Discuss a past experience where you met a challenging deadline, focusing on how you organized your tasks, maintained communication with team members, and delivered quality results under pressure.

When discussing your methods for presenting complex financial information, focus on your understanding of your audience and the importance of clarity. Mention techniques such as using visuals, breaking information down into digestible formats, and reiterating key points. Provide an example of a successful presentation you've delivered in the past.

Articulate your approach to prioritizing tasks, such as assessing deadlines, project significance, and stakeholder impact. Share an example of how you've effectively used lists, project management tools, or setting milestones to keep track of multiple deliverables and ensure on-time completion.

Outline skills such as analytical thinking, communication, and teamwork as essential for success in the Graduate Intern role. Provide examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in academic or previous internship settings, emphasizing their relevance in contributing to the Bureau of Asset Management's goals.

Express your level of comfort with coding and technical tasks by referencing any relevant experiences, coursework, or personal projects. If you're proficient in specific programming languages, mention those. Stress your enthusiasm for building your technical skills, particularly in the context of simplifying processes within the role.