Mertcan Güler, a fourth year student of the Department of International Trade and Finance, Faculty of Business, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), got a job offer from the US Federal Reserve Bank (FED), one of the most important financial institutions worldwide, while being a student still. Güler, who was offered a job at the end of internship period that included 17 students from different parts of the world, will start working as a “job analyst” in June after he completes his undergraduate studies.

Being the only student to be accepted for internship from Turkey, Güler said, “In class, Prof. Coşkun Küçüközmen always motivated us to apply for internship at prestigious institutions. He always encouraged us. I applied with a little hesitation.  My application was declined by the US Federal Reserve Bank so I applied to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. I was accepted to the internship program called the ‘talent hunt’ with my project that enables investors to diversify their portfolios with foreign resources. I was one of the two people to be offered a job at the end of the internship program. The FED in Washington D.C. had the position suitable for my field, so I will start working there as a job analyst.”

‘Reveal your entrepreneurial side’

Güler stated that he received great support from Assoc. Prof. Gülin Vardar Karasulu, Head of IUE Department of International Trade and Finance, and Prof. Coşkun Küçüközmen, and they taught him never to give up. “I wouldn’t even dream about working at one of the institutions that steer the world economy. First, I applied to the Bank of England. I did well on the interview, they sent me a certification of appreciation. But my application was declined by the US Federal Reserve Bank in Washington D.C. As I was about to give up, my professor encouraged me to apply to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco where I got accepted. I was the only student from Turkey to be accepted for this internship program. I definitely urge fellow students not to be afraid to pursue their dreams. They should become entrepreneurial. We are more successful than the students of other countries,” said Güler.