Getting His Kicks In Corporate Finance

Getting His Kicks In Corporate Finance

Much like his career as the placekicker for the Albion College football team, Mitchell McCord jumped into corporate finance and accounting during his summer internship with thyssenkrupp, one of the leading plastics and materials distribution companies in North America.

While the company has its headquarters in Germany, McCord, a finance major who is concentrating in the college's Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management, worked out of the office based in Southfield.

"My goal was to have an experience with a corporate finance feel," McCord, a Clarkston, Mich., native who also competes in the hurdles during the track season, said, adding that he will search for experience in private equity for the second internship required of students in the Gerstacker Institute.

McCord, who immediately took over kickoff duties after joining the Briton football team in the middle of last season, assisted the team at thyssenkrupp in projects ranging from economic analysis to budget processes and presentation and monthly reporting functions.

While making the adjustment from the academic to corporate setting was something McCord said proved to be a surprise, he picked up interpersonal and electronic communication skills quickly and had a successful experience.

"I came in the middle of the budget season and I was responsible for some line items as we put budgets together for the operating units within North America and putting together the presentation for the parent company that visited us from Germany," McCord said.

"There wasn't time to give me work that was not relevant," he added. "After two or three days, I was thrust into the whole experience which I thought was great. I liked the variety of tasks I was given. I believe through that I wasn't in just the finance area. I was given side projects to learn more about the company as a whole. I was allowed to work in sales, e-commerce and it provided me with a well-rounded experience."