Hobart and William Smith Colleges

20 August 2009 Ghiraldi works at AXA Equitable

This summer Scott Ghiraldi 10, an economics major and international relations minor, was able to get a jumpstart look at the world of finance- a career he intends to pursue after graduation.

Ghiraldi participated in a 10-week internship at the corporate office of AXAEquitable in New York City thanks to Hobart alum William Bill Miller Jr. 91, the chiefsales officer at AXA.

I was working with AXAs annuity wholesale desk, the sales team, Ghiraldi says, I was in a group of 39 interns who worked in different departments. At one point I was able to conduct a presentation in front of the executive managementcommittee. It was agood growing experience.

When he wasnt working on his presentation, he was with the sales team learning about variable annuities and howAXA sold them. He participated in calls between AXA sales representatives and brokers/clients, and received extensive product training on AXAs current variable annuity product.

Before beginning the program I knew little about variable annuities, but being able to learn aboutthemwhile also gainingexposuretothe sales desk made this a great learning experience.

This week, Ghiraldi has returned to campus where he serves as linebacker for Statesmen football.