My Summer as Savant’s First Mergers and Acquisitions Intern
This summer, I had the unique opportunity to serve as Savant Wealth Management’s first dedicated Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) intern. It was a season full of learning, growth, and some incredible surprises along the way. Here’s a look back at my experience.
A Warm Welcome on My First Day
If I had to describe my first day at Savant in one word, it would be welcomed. I have had other internships, but the energy at Savant was different. While the first day consisted of orientation and information, every speaker and team member I met seemed genuinely excited to have us there. It was the first time I felt a company was just as enthusiastic about developing interns as I was about starting my role. That sense of culture, one that values people and future talent, stood out to me immediately.
Projects with Impact
My role evolved throughout the summer. At first, I focused on maintaining and cleaning databases. As the weeks went on, I took on bigger and more creative assignments that allowed me to apply what I had been learning at the University of Iowa. I worked on financial modeling to determine purchase prices for prospective firms, drafted Indications of Interest (IOIs) to begin deal processes, and created presentations to showcase Savant’s capabilities.
I also conducted CIM due diligence, analyzed pay grade information, and later in the summer, focused heavily on firm research, one of the most crucial parts of evaluating potential acquisitions. From a high-level view, I believe this internship helped give me the opportunity to practice numerous skills needed to succeed in this industry. It was both challenging and invaluable.
Climbing the Learning Curve
I will not pretend the start was easy. Like anyone new, I had a learning curve to overcome in my first few weeks. But my team was there every step of the way, sharing industry reports, answering my many questions, and explaining how they had navigated similar situations. Their patience and willingness to teach helped me get up to speed quickly. I was able to lean on their experience, which accelerated my own growth.
Building a Foundation for the Next Intern
One of the things I am most proud of is helping shape the future of this internship. Since I was the first M&A intern, much of my work served as a test run for the program. My experience can help the team determine which projects are most valuable, what the right workload should look like, and how to structure the internship moving forward. Knowing that my contributions might influence future interns and hopefully expand this program is something I will always value.
A Seat at the Table
The biggest surprise of the summer was how many high-level meetings I attended. I expected to work on firm valuations and outreach, but I never imagined sitting in on discussions with executive leadership, investment bankers, private equity professionals, and founders of other firms. Those experiences gave me insights that I cannot find in a textbook and taught me how to present myself professionally in rooms that truly matter. It showed me the respect Savant places on its interns by including us in some of those conversations.
An Unexpected Invitation
One of the highlights of my internship came outside the office. I was invited to Savant CEO Brent Brodeski’s annual Fourth of July party. It was not something I ever expected as an intern, but I believe it spoke volumes about the kind of leader Brent is. Before this summer, I assumed CEOs were distant or hard to approach. That was not the case here. At the party and throughout the internship, Brent treated me like any other member of the team. That level of openness and approachability left a lasting impression on me. He leads by example, living Savant’s core values and guiding principles.
Reflections on this Internship
This internship gave me more than just technical skills. It gave me confidence, perspective, and a firsthand look at what it means to work in an organization that values both its people and its purpose. I am grateful for the experiences I had, the mentors I worked with, and the chance to set the stage for future M&A interns at Savant.
This statement was provided by a previous intern of Savant. The views and opinions expressed are their own and reflect their personal experience as an intern. This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation of Savant’s advisory services.
Graduate Student at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business