Student Perspectives: My Internship Journey at Biz2Credit

Inara Rupani (MS Finance '26)

When I first started my internship at Biz2Credit in New York City, I thought underwriting was mostly about numbers, spreadsheets, and probably drinking too much coffee. I was right about the coffee part. But what surprised me was how much the role is actually about people, decision-making, and understanding the stories behind businesses. 

As a Credit Underwriter, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate small business loan applications, analyse financial statements, assess risk, and collaborate with different teams to make lending decisions. Every application feels like solving a puzzle, except sometimes the puzzle comes with 400 pages of tax returns and a business owner who says, “Everything is in the folder,” when it definitely is not.  

One of the most important things I’ve learned during this internship is how to balance analytical thinking with practical judgment. In finance classes, you often work with clean datasets and textbook scenarios. Real life is very different. Businesses don’t always fit perfectly into models, and sometimes the “story” behind the numbers matters just as much as the numbers themselves. Learning how to identify risk while still understanding the entrepreneur’s perspective has completely changed how I think about finance.  

Networking was another thing I initially found intimidating. Walking up to professionals in New York City can feel like entering a speed round of “Who’s the Most Accomplished Person in the Room?” But I realized networking becomes much easier when you stop treating it like a formal event and start treating it like a conversation. One of the most impactful moments for me was simply asking a senior colleague about how they transitioned into credit risk from a completely different career path. That one conversation turned into multiple mentorship discussions, career advice sessions, and insights I honestly couldn’t have learned from a textbook or LinkedIn post. 

My biggest contribution to the team has been supporting full-cycle underwriting and helping identify potential risks through detailed financial analysis and due diligence. I worked on evaluating borrower financials, conducting credit assessments, and collaborating across teams to support loan decisions. What made this contribution meaningful to me was knowing that our work directly impacts small businesses and entrepreneurs trying to grow. Behind every loan request is someone taking a chance on their business and being trusted to evaluate that taught me the importance of accuracy, accountability, and attention to detail.  

After this experience, I would love to learn more about advanced risk modeling and financial strategy. Working in fintech showed me how technology and finance are becoming more connected every day, and I’m excited to continue building skills in data analytics, forecasting, and investment decision-making.  

For students struggling to find internships, my biggest advice would be not to underestimate persistence. The process can honestly feel discouraging sometimes. There were moments when I questioned whether I was applying to internships or just donating my resume to the internet. But every application, networking conversation, and interview helps you improve. Focus on building genuine skills, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people. Opportunities often come from conversations you almost didn’t have.  

This internship has been one of the most valuable learning experiences for me professionally and personally. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, strengthened my technical and communication skills, and reminded me that growth usually happens when you’re willing to take on challenges you don’t feel 100% ready for. And in New York City, there’s probably no better place to learn how to do exactly that.