George Garcia

“While at Ramapo College, I have been afforded the opportunity to participate in various internship programs through many different fields. From interning for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., my latest endeavor led me to Atlanta, Georgia, where I am completing a summer-long internship with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). As the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, FINRA’s mission is to protect investors by making sure the United States securities industry operates fairly and honestly. FINRA oversees about 4,250 brokerage firms, about 162,155 branch offices and approximately 629,525 registered securities representatives, meaning that the company plays a vital role in the American financial system. Having come from a completely different background in political science, I realized how interesting and important it is to have some financial literacy, and this position has certainly helped me understand the way financial markets work and how they are regulated. Words alone cannot describe how rewarding it is to temporarily move to a new city and immerse oneself in that city’s culture. I am enjoying my time in Atlanta and I certainly believe that these experiences will lead to me becoming a well-rounded, open-minded and knowledgeable member of the American workforce.” – George Garcia ’17 graduated with degree in Political Science and a minor in Accounting.