Ryan Knefel
- Decision Science Analyst
- USAA
School Information
School: University of California, Santa Barbara
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2009
Career Information
Working For: USAA
Title: Decision Science Analyst
Industry: FinanceWhat Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?
Completing my M.A. in Applied Economics.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting taught me how much effort it can take to be successful, and that the world is full of driven, hard-working people.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
College Works Painting was my first job/internship experience, and it was the highlight of my resume when applying for my first jobs out of school, even after completing my graduate degree. While it no longer impacts my job interviews or aspiration, the lessons I picked up through the experience, particularly the effort and legwork involved in entrepreneurship and success, still drive the approach I take in my career and in working toward my long-run ideal of success.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
I honestly wouldn’t know what to say to them. I guess, in general, I would say thanks for taking a chance on me; the internship was a hard learning moment in my life, and each of them was a big bright spot in the success I had in the internship.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
Easily it was how hard the people around me were working to succeed in their efforts within the internship, as well as the planning, creativity, and commitment it took to succeed, particularly in entrepreneurship.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
The best advice for potential College Works Painting participants is to consider what sort of internship best suits their career goals. Most of us will never work again in house-painting, so if there’s a specific industry you want to be involved in, then the best course of action is to seek an internship in that industry. Otherwise, College Works Painting beats out any lackluster internship or summer job. It’ll be a lot harder and emotionally draining, but it teaches ‘graduates’ much more and will give them much more discuss in future job interviews. Current College Works Painting participants need to compartmentalize their lives. Organizing their schedule and understanding their own priorities is unbelievably important in achieving their goals.
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
I think an internship specific to their industry is best, particularly if they’re not necessarily interested in the business aspect of that industry. That said, College Works Painting is likely better than a really generic “mail room” type internship, even in that industry. The amount of effort and lifestyle it takes to succeed in College Works Painting will teach a lot about finding success in any industry.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
In analysis it’s important to know the basic quantitative skills, but to succeed at the highest levels you have to be able to think openly and creatively; the most valuable analysis provides a new perspective. As a student, aside from doing well in class, it’s important to get work experience early. Don’t be afraid to reach out regarding interesting projects or companies to see if there’s a way to get involved.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
I had a good run during one portion of the internship and managed to climb into the top performers of the week or month, qualifying me for the raffle of cool prizes. I’ll never forget how ridiculous pumped I was to win the projector — the only prize I had any interest in. Contrasting my over-the-top excitement for having won with my VP’s reaction of double-checking that my name was on the list makes for a hilarious moment that I can’t forget.
Last words of wisdom?
Never be afraid to reach out to your heroes or dream projects; people are generally willing to help and advise anyone that is looking to start a career in their field — particularly if they are passionate about the same projects.