The Programs Behind the Investments
A computer science major writes code for one of the largest brokerage firms in the country.
Trevor Horwath ’20 has had a variety of jobs, including grocery clerk, valet attendant and umpire for a youth baseball league. But until this summer, the computer science major had never had any professional experience in his field of study.
So Horwath set his sights on a summer internship near Chandler, Ariz., his hometown. An opportunity with investment giant Charles Schwab soon caught his eye.
“Charles Schwab is a well-known company, so I figured an internship there could lead to other opportunities,” he says. “I had two quick phone interviews and got the internship.”
As an intern with the company’s Business Process Management Technology team, Horwath is examining code, fixing software bugs and making sure the company’s website is working properly.
“The week before I started, the team was redesigning a process that dealt with the transferal of financial accounts from other financial/banking firms to Charles Schwab,” he says. “Now I’m doing hands-on work to fix problems and make sure that everything is functional.”
Horwath says the experience has given him a broader perspective on his intended career.
“It was great to have a chance to see how what I’ve learned applies to the real world,” he says. “Now that I’ve had a firsthand look at the field, I can really see myself doing that kind of development work after graduation.”
A shortstop for the Elmhurst baseball team, Horwath says he’s looking forward to coming back to campus this fall for his senior year.
“I’m enjoying my experience at Elmhurst,” he says. “Coming from Arizona, I could do without the rain and snow, but the overall environment is welcoming and cohesive. I have friends at bigger schools, but at Elmhurst you can have more of a one-on-one relationship with your professors.”
This experience has given me a greater appreciation and understanding of the importance of soft skills in the workplace. This is something that professionals frequently talk about, but this was the first opportunity I had to see proof of the concept.
—Trevor Horwath ’20
