While completing her degree in Bachelor of Business in Finance and Supply Chain Management at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, Izzy Berney was on the search to complete an internship.
“I initially started looking for an internship within New Zealand,” she said, “but when I saw the Summer Internship program at NAB in Australia, something told me to just apply.”
“I started progressing from interview and interview and, before I knew it, I was accepted!”
Izzy remembers the day she received the acceptance call from NAB.
“Oh, I remember the moment like it was yesterday,” she said. “I was beyond shocked, with tears coming down my face. It was just a dream come true!”
For Izzy, moving to Australia from New Zealand was a daunting prospect.
“I’m just your average Joe from a small town in Hamilton, NZ,” she said. “I was moving from a small town to the hustle and bustle of Sydney for three months. How was I going to do it?
But, despite the fear, Izzy knew she had the ambition to take on the challenge.
“I just knew that this was a too good an opportunity and I didn’t want to pass it up,” she said. “It was ambitious, but I had to bite the bullet. My aunt was in Sydney, and I always loved watching her succeed in the big city with her career. I looked up to her and knew that she would provide me with a base.”
During her internship, Izzy was part of the Client Coverage and FGT (Financial, Government, and Technology) team in C&IB.
“I learned so much about benchmarking different banks and focusing on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) aspects within them,” Izzy said.
“I got to tag along to client meetings with other banks, dig into ESG work, and delve into credit papers.
“It was great being able to understand how a company had performed in the past year, and how I could apply it to our business.”
Izzy’s people leader was key to her learning experience.
“My people leader had me exposed to different floors within C&IB, took me on a bunch of client visits, and introduced me to teams in the UK and Asia,” she said.
“It was the perfect way to really immerse myself in the C&IB culture, and it helped me build so many meaningful connections.”
“It was a journey of a lifetime!”
Izzy said that she also “learned so much about teamwork, communication, and problem-solving”.
“It was an important stepping stone in my career, and I cried on my last day,” she said.
“That’s why when as soon as I went back to New Zealand and the Grad program opened, I applied because I knew I had my place at NAB to grow my career’.
Looking back on her journey from intern to grad, Izzy is “grateful for the opportunities that the internship program provided.”
“It not only shaped my career path but also ignited a passion within me to make a difference in the world of finance by promoting sustainability,” she said.
“My everyday role is all about working with our clients to make better sustainable financial decisions and I can’t think of anything better.
“I love that my career is purposeful, and I am determined to continue driving positive change. I credit the program with giving me the foundation and inspiration to do so.
“Living in Australia has also been a dream come true. From a quiet town to the vibrant energy of Sydney, it’s been an adventure filled with opportunities.”
To anyone considering applying for the NAB Summer Intern Program, Izzy advice is simple.
“Take the chance! You won’t regret it.” she said. “Trust me, it’s a decision that opens doors to a world of growth and new experiences.”
Applications for NAB’s 2025 Summer Intern Program is now open. Visit the Early careers section of the NAB website to find out more.
