Christian Valerio

Class of 2027

Currently Studying: BBA in Finance and Minor in Accounting

Current Internship Position: Private Equity Intern

Company: Court Square Capital Partners

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How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

The Lubin School of Business has played a key role in preparing me for my internship. Through Career Services—and especially with help from James Davis—I received valuable support with résumé development and participated in mock interviews, which enhanced my confidence and readiness for the interview process. Additionally, staying informed on financial news was strongly encouraged, helping me remain engaged with current market trends. Academically, courses such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, and financial management provided me with a solid foundation of knowledge that I was able to apply directly to my day-to-day responsibilities during the internship.

What attracted you to this internship?

What attracted me to this internship was my strong interest in finance and my desire to explore both the finance and accounting industries, given my major and minor. I have always been particularly drawn to private equity—especially the opportunity to be on the buy-side, support company growth, and help drive a profitable exit. Court Square Capital stood out to me not only because of its long-standing reputation as one of the first private equity firms, established in 1979, but also because of its consistent track record of success. I saw this internship as a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and understand how a leading firm like Court Square operates.

Describe what a typical day look like for you in this role.

A typical day in this role changes week to week, as the internship is part of a six-week rotational program. So far, I’ve worked with the deal team, assisted with Investor Relations (IR), participated in onboarding training, and contributed to a case study project that will culminate in a presentation to the investor committee, where I’ll pitch an investment opportunity.

My day typically begins around 9:00 a.m., when I arrive at the office and greet colleagues, including fellow intern Paolo Bayle, who is also a student at Pace University. I then log in, check my email, and review my team’s calendar to confirm the day’s meetings and priorities. I also start the morning by reading The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal to stay current on financial and market developments.

Currently, my primary focus is the case study project. I began by creating a heads-up memo (HUM) and am now building a comprehensive investor committee deck. In the early stages, I analyzed the company’s Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM) and reviewed a market study to identify industry trends, growth drivers, and risks. I continue to reference both as I refine the investment thesis and presentation. To support my analysis, I’ve used platforms such as Preqin, PitchBook, and S&P Capital IQ to gather comparable company data, industry benchmarks, and transaction comparisons.

I often end my day connecting with team members across the firm to learn more about their roles, career paths, and perspectives on the industry. Conversations with associates who recently transitioned from investment banking to private equity have been especially valuable, offering insight into changes in work dynamics and long-term growth opportunities in the PE space.

Overall, my days combine research, technical analysis, strategic thinking, and relationship-building across multiple functions of the firm.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

The most enjoyable aspect of my internship has been getting to know the people at Court Square. As a smaller firm, it has offered a unique opportunity to connect closely with associates, principals, vice presidents, partners, and even co-founders. Hearing about their career journeys and how they broke into finance and ultimately joined Court Square has been incredibly insightful and motivating. I have especially enjoyed speaking with the co-founders to learn how the private equity landscape has evolved over the past 40 years and how Court Square has maintained its strong reputation and track record of success. The firm’s inclusive and welcoming culture has made this experience especially meaningful, and the chance to build relationships and learn from such experienced professionals has been the highlight of my internship.

How has this experience shaped or impacted you career goals?

This experience has had a significant impact on my career goals by providing a hands-on perspective on the private equity industry. Working at Court Square allowed me to see firsthand how a successful middle-market private equity firm operates—from deal structuring to internal collaboration—and gave me insight into the firm’s strong culture and work-life balance. It has deepened my interest in finance and affirmed my desire to pursue a career in the field. Seeing how Court Square has remained consistent and successful over decades has been both inspiring and informative, and it has motivated me to continue exploring opportunities within private equity and broader financial services.

How do you plan to apply what you’ve learned during this internship to your next semester at Lubin?

I plan to apply the skills and insights gained from this internship directly to my upcoming semester at Lubin. The Excel proficiency and financial modeling techniques I developed—particularly around LBO modeling and P&L analysis—will be highly valuable for my finance and accounting coursework. Additionally, the industry insights and strategic thinking I have gained from working on live deals and interacting with professionals across the firm will help me approach class projects with a more practical, real-world perspective. This experience has strengthened my analytical skills and deepened my understanding of financial markets, which I plan to leverage in both my academic work and future career planning.

The industry insights and strategic thinking I have gained from working on live deals and interacting with professionals across the firm will help me approach class projects with a more practical, real-world perspective.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who are looking to pursue internships in the future?

My advice to other Lubin students is to be proactive, persistent, and open to building connections. Take full advantage of the resources Pace offers—especially Career Services. They have a deep understanding of the industry and can provide valuable support with résumé building, mock interviews, and overall preparation for the roles you are targeting.

Start by building a strong relationship with Career Services early on, and do not hesitate to reach out to alumni or professionals for coffee chats. These conversations can give you deeper insights into the industry and help clarify your interests. When interviewing, always do your research—understand the company’s background, recent deals, and the person you’ll be speaking with. Demonstrating this level of preparation shows initiative and genuine interest.

Ultimately, being ambitious, expanding your network, and maintaining a strong desire to learn will make you a more competitive candidate for any internship or future role you pursue.

Connect with Christian Online:

• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn

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Michi Yoshikawa

Class of 2025
MS in Environmental Science and Policy

Why did you choose to pursue environmental science and policy as a course of study?

I became interested in environmental science and policy while I learned more about climate change. As I engaged in climate action, I realized that a lot of the bigger changes we need to see to mitigate climate change need to come from policy change. And since environmental justice needs to occur hand in hand with climate action, I wanted to study these topics more.

Why did you choose to enroll in the MS in Environmental Science and Policy at Pace?

After completing my undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine in Japan, I increasingly became more interested in environmental issues and wanted to pursue a master’s degree in this field. Geographically, my focus was in and around New York City, as my family lives here, and when looking into graduate programs, Pace's MS in Environmental Science and Policy was most aligned with my interests. Once here, I had great classmates who supported each other.

What have your experiences been like with the Environmental Studies and Science department? What faculty have been instrumental in your academic journey?

I've really enjoyed my time at Pace and have found that most of the classes I've taken have been challenging and eye-opening in many ways. I especially found the environmental law survey and environmental justice classes taken at Pace’s Haub School of Law very interesting, in addition to my contemporary issues class, as we were able to hear from alumni from our program and learn about different career trajectories.

When looking into graduate programs, Pace's MS in Environmental Science and Policy was most aligned with my interests, and once here, I had great classmates who supported each other.

Professor Michelle Land, JD, in the Environmental Studies and Science department has really gone above and beyond as an educator. One of my favorite classes was the environmental policy class I took with her in my first semester. I liked the way she structured the class and the feedback she gave throughout the semester was very valuable. She is so passionate about what she does and deeply cares about her students.

What research have you engaged in as part of your studies that was meaningful to you?

I'm passionate about environmental and nuclear justice and am currently writing my thesis about how these two issues overlap. Professor Melanie Dupuis, PhD, my thesis advisor, has been supportive of this somewhat niche topic from the start, and has helped me through all the unexpected twists and turns that my project took.

What are your career goals?

I would love to do something that relates to environmental justice and communication. With the current state of the world, I'm not sure how that will look yet, but I'm excited to apply what I've learned and collaborate with others in whatever way that turns out to be. This program has equipped me with the knowledge and tools I need to start my career in the environmental field.