My Summer Internship: Keaton Stott

Each summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics gain valuable professional-level exposure through internships. This year, young scholars were able to traverse the complications of COVID-19 by pursuing an array of internships, externships and other professional development opportunities. Each profile of this series will detail a Lerner student’s experiences working remotely on business-oriented projects. 

Keaton Stott, a Class of 2023 business analytics and finance double major, spent his summer working on founding a new Venture Capital Club at UD.

Q: What are you doing this summer to develop your readiness for your future career?

Stott: I have been working on founding a Venture Capital Club at UD, which has been an amazing experience for me in preparing for a career in investment banking. In the process of setting up the club, I have had the privilege of speaking with a number of UD alumni who work in the industry, which has been an incredibly informative and valuable experience. In addition to working on establishing the Club, I have taken advantage of the wonderful opportunity that UD has offered us by providing access to Wall Street prep. I have also been keeping up with daily current events through the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Finally, I’ve been immersing myself in Lerner Career Services Center Director Jill Pante’s Career Webinar Series, which I have found profoundly beneficial in developing career readiness.

Q: How did the coronavirus response impact your summer plans?

Stott: I applied to many summer internships, all of which were canceled due to COVID-19. I was also planning on working as a part-time camp counselor at a local YMCA summer camp, which was canceled as well.

Q: What did you learn through this experience that you don’t think you would have learned anywhere else?

Stott: Through this catastrophic pandemic, I’ve learned how quickly and suddenly the entire world can change. This has made me incredibly grateful for what I have. Additionally, I’ve learned that my outlook can dictate how this change impacts me specifically. Although the pandemic has meant some lost opportunities for me, I’ve taken the extra time that it’s given me as an opportunity to do a lot of the heavy lifting in setting up the Venture Capital Club. Finally, I’ve looked at this summer as a very educational experience as it has allowed me to learn about the economic effects of an unprecedented global health crisis.

Q: What is an example of a time you were able to apply something you learned at Lerner to your efforts?

Stott: Through the resources provided by Lerner, I was able to contact a great professional career counselor who guided me in approaching alumni and other industry professionals with confidence regarding the club. Through the outreach I’ve done, I have learned how generous and supportive our Blue Hen alumni base is, and my conversations with them have inspired me to give back to future Lerner students when I become an alumnus.

Q: What have you been doing this summer outside of professional development, just for you?

Stott: I’ve been quite busy this summer working on getting the Venture Capital Club off the ground, but I have also tried to balance that with other COVID-safe activities like biking, longboarding and enjoying the shortened Major League Baseball season!

Lerner Graduate Student Stories: Lauren Lee

Lauren Lee, a merchandise and retail business manager in Milton, Del., is pursuing her master’s of business administration and is expected to graduate between 2026 and 2027. Lee shared why she chose to continue her studies at Lerner, and specifically about her...

CEEE Announces Fall 2024 Stock Market Game Winners

Students across Delaware gained valuable insights into investing and personal finance by competing in the 2024 Fall Stock Market Game (SMG). The top-performing teams, who demonstrated both skill and strategy, were celebrated during a virtual awards ceremony on January...

Graduate Student Stories: Trinity Moody

Trinity Moody is from New Castle, Delaware and is expected to earn her MBA in 2026. She shared why she chose Lerner to continue her studies and some memorable moments in the program. Lerner: Why did you go back to pursue your graduate degree? Why did you choose the...

Lerner College Instructor Karen McDougal Lists Tax Tips for 2025

Like it or not, tax season is upon us, and most people cringe at the thought of filing their tax returns before the Tues, April 15, 2025 deadline. Karen McDougal, accounting instructor in the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics,...

Graduate Student Stories: Taylor Bond

Taylor Bond is expected to earn his MBA in finance from Lerner in 2025. He shared why he chose to continue his studies at Lerner, and specifically about his most impactful class in the program. Lerner: Why did you go back to pursue your graduate degree? Why did you...