Leah Fuemmeler - Investments Intern, State Farm

Leah Fuemmeler '14
Finance & Insurance
Gamma Class

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1. What company are you interning with? Where is it located?

State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, IL

2. What is your position title?

Investments - Real Estate and Mortgages Intern

3. What does your job entail/what you will be doing over the course of the internship?

Conducting annual loan reviews, analyzing and making
recommendations on State Farm’s current REIT portfolio, credit analysis on
potential tenants, assisting analysts with loan recommendations, traveling to
meet with loan brokers and inspect potential investment
properties.

4. Why were you drawn to this company/position?

After working in a relatively small company over the last year, I 
really wanted to get experience in a large, Fortune 500 company in the finance 
field. State Farm started recruiting before most  (early September), so I 
took a shot and applied to both of their investments positions (Fixed income and 
real estate) and was hoping I’d be considered for at least one! Also, being from 
Blono I’ve always had a lot of respect for State Farm as a company and how they 
treat their employees.

5. What do you most hope to get out of your experience?

Learn and experience more about my field than I could in a regular 
classroom setting. After only one week, I’d say it’s been pretty 
successful.

6. Work with any brothers (active or alumni)?

Not from the Xi Psi chapter - but I do work with a brother from 
University of Missouri! (and a DSP but we won’t go there) And occasionally I get 
to IM Lindsey Brightwell.
 
7. Best experience thus far?

Well, besides being able to wear jeans on Friday and having soft 
serve ice cream, Pizza Hut, Salsarita, and Chick-fil-a in the 
cafeteria...

The department is extremely welcoming and everyone is eager to 
help, no matter their seniority. I’ve been able to ask anyone and everyone for 
advice, questions, or just stop by to say hi. Our VP is taking the 3 interns out 
to lunch on Monday, just because!

Blog post by: Ryan Ritchie