Inside an AIM Undergraduate’s Journey to a JPMorganChase Internship 

For many students pursuing a career in finance, landing an internship at JPMorganChase is a significant career milestone. For Donna Faith Go, it became a reality before she even graduated. 

Donna, a student in the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Business Administration & Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Management Information Systems (BSDSBA & BBA, MIS) double-degree transnational program, earned a summer internship with JPMorganChase Commercial & Investment Banking business—one of the most competitive internship programs in the global financial industry. 

Offered by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in partnership with the University of Houston, the BSDSBA & BBA, MIS curriculum combines data science subjects with business administration subjects, allowing students to earn degrees from both institutions while developing expertise across data science, business, and technology.  

Discovering an Interest Beyond the Classroom 

Donna describes herself simply. 

“I study hard and I do my best to learn outside the classroom,” she shared. 

That mindset became the foundation of her journey. 

Long before she entered AIM, Donna was already drawn to solving difficult problems. Growing up, she was surrounded by family members who worked from home and often spoke about the flexibility and convenience their careers provided. While that initially sparked her interest in pursuing a similarly flexible profession, her motivations ran deeper. 

“Growing up, several members of my family worked from home, and they often spoke about the flexibility and convenience it provided. This initially made me interested in pursuing a career that could offer a similar level of flexibility. More importantly, I have always been drawn to problem-solving, and I found that data science aligned closely with both my interests and career aspirations,” Donna shared. 

Her interest in data science was also rooted in a desire to create meaningful impact. 

“On a more personal level, I have always wanted to tackle complex problems that are difficult to solve, such as traffic congestion in my hometown. I saw data science as a way to apply analytical and technical skills to develop meaningful solutions to real-world challenges like these.” 

With this perspective, Donna entered the AIM BSDSBA & BBA, MIS transnational double-degree program eager to build the skills needed to turn data into solutions. 

As a student navigating the intersection of data science, business administration, and management information systems, Donna was exposed to a broad range of disciplines. While she entered AIM with a clear interest in data science, she had not yet identified the industry or domain where she wanted to apply her skills. The interdisciplinary nature of the program gave her the opportunity to explore different fields and understand how data-driven insights can shape decision-making across sectors. 

Over time, one area stood out. 

Through her coursework and research experiences at AIM, Donna discovered a growing interest in finance. A pivotal moment came when she worked closely with one her professors, Jose Miguel G. Bautista, PhD, on research focused on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Their study examined the behavior of the local equities market across different market regimes, allowing Donna to see firsthand how data science can be applied to analyze financial markets and generate meaningful insights. 

The experience broadened her perspective on the possibilities within the field and helped her identify a specialization that aligned with both her interests and career aspirations. 

“Prior to joining AIM, I’ve always wanted to pursue data science. However, since data science is domain-agnostic, I was still unsure about which area or industry I wanted to specialize in,” Donna explained. “It was actually here at AIM where I discovered my passion for finance. Through our research together, I learned how data science can be applied to the study of financial markets, specifically equities markets, which ultimately sparked my interest in finance.” 

Recognizing the value of combining technical expertise with industry knowledge, Donna actively sought opportunities beyond the classroom to deepen her understanding of financial markets. She participated in extracurricular activities, pursued finance-related learning experiences, and explored ways to strengthen her knowledge of the industry she hoped to build a career in. 

“Data science is a field where having extensive knowledge in a specific topic or industry gives you a significant advantage in the job market. In my case, I chose to pursue extracurricular activities that could help me learn more about financial markets,” Donna shared. “I’ve always wanted a career in finance, so I’ve always sought opportunities related to finance.” 

By pairing academic rigor with curiosity and initiative, Donna transformed an interest into a clear professional direction. Her experience reflects how learning extends beyond coursework, often leading students to discover passions and opportunities they may not have envisioned when they first began their studies. 

Looking ahead, Donna remains open to where her journey may lead. Whether through further research, industry roles, or new opportunities that emerge along the way, she plans to continue building on the foundation she developed at AIM while exploring the many ways data science and finance intersect. 

What began as a fascination with problem-solving has evolved into a purposeful path—one that combines technical expertise, industry knowledge, and a commitment to using data to address real-world challenges. 

Preparing Through the BSDSBA & BBA, MIS Curriculum 

Long before she submitted an application to JPMorganChase, Donna was already laying the groundwork. 

Her studies in the BSDSBA & BBA, MIS transnational double-degree program challenged her to think across disciplines. Rather than viewing data science, technology, and business as separate fields, she learned to understand how they intersect to solve real-world problems. 

For Donna, the combination of technical skills, business knowledge, and a growing understanding of finance helped her build a strong foundation before entering the highly competitive recruitment process. 

Looking back, it was not a single achievement or experience that prepared her for the opportunity. Rather, it was the accumulation of small decisions—choosing to learn more, asking questions, seeking mentors, and staying engaged with her interests. 

When the opportunity to apply to JPMorganChase arrived, she was ready to take her shot. 

Competing on a Global Stage 

Donna knew that securing a place at JPMorganChase would be challenging. 

What surprised her was the level of competition she encountered throughout the recruitment process. 

“I knew the selection process would be competitive, but I didn’t know the full extent of how competitive it was until my third round of interviews. The interview process was rigorous, and I think the Early Careers team did a great job filtering people who have a keen interest in finance.” 

Throughout the interviews, Donna found herself drawing not only on her interest in finance but also on the interdisciplinary training she had developed as a student. Her ability to approach problems from both technical and business perspectives became an important part of how she communicated her experiences and strengths. 

The experience taught her an important lesson: preparation matters, but so does authenticity. Beyond technical knowledge, employers were looking for candidates who could communicate clearly, demonstrate curiosity, and show genuine interest in the work. 

Ultimately, Donna earned her place among a highly selective group of interns. 

Learning What the Classroom Cannot Teach 

For Donna, the internship itself became an entirely new chapter of learning. 

“The internship felt like an extended interview because interns are competing to secure a return offer to become full-time analysts after graduation. I learned so many things that were not formally taught to me in class, both in terms of technical skills and soft skills. “ 

She also found herself learning from people across different markets and regions. 

“I networked with a lot of senior leaders not just from the Philippines, but from abroad as well.” 

Among the highlights of her experience was having the opportunity to join a global virtual session featuring Jamie Dimon and presenting work to senior executives across the Asia-Pacific region. 

For an undergraduate student, these moments offered a rare glimpse into the scale, complexity, and collaborative nature of global finance. 

Looking Ahead 

For Donna, earning a JPMorganChase internship was never the finish line. It was one milestone in a larger journey of learning, growth, and exploration. 

Her story demonstrates that meaningful opportunities often begin long before an application is submitted. They are built through consistent effort, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to pursue interests beyond what is required. 

At AIM, this spirit of exploration is supported both inside and outside the classroom. As a leading business school in the Philippines, AIM equips students through industry-relevant data science and business administration courses, faculty mentorship, access to industry practitioners, and a collaborative learning environment. Beyond the classroom, students can access opportunities for global exposure, school activities, and career development.  

Through industry partnerships, experiential learning, and connections with organizations in the Philippines and abroad, students are encouraged to explore pathways that align with their interests, strengths, and aspirations.