Intern Spotlight: Dillon Malaret ’18

Dillon Malaret ’18 participated in an internship with Gideon Strategic Partners through the Windward Network after his Freshman year at USC. He spent two Summers with the company before being offered a full-time position, while still an undergraduate student at USC, and Dillon is now working for Blackstone's Insurance Solutions group in New York City post-graduation.

How did the Windward Network benefit you after your first year at USC?

During my Freshman year, I struggled to get an internship through my university. Most of the internships offered were targeting rising Seniors looking to earn a full-time offer for post-grad work. Without the Windward Network, I would have likely spent my Freshman Summer returning to the restaurant I worked at over Summers during high school. The Windward Network allowed me to get my foot in the door and land my first internship.

You spent two Summers interning at Gideon Strategic Partners—how did your role grow and evolve there?

Gideon is a third party registered investment advisor that specializes in holistic retirement planning and tax efficient investment strategies. Initially starting as an unpaid intern, I approached every task trying to find something new I could do in order to add value to the firm. I returned the next Summer to oversee the entire internship program, as well as take a larger responsibility as it relates to the internal non-client facing processes at the firm. In my Junior year, I was

brought on full time as Middle Office Operations, designing and managing a portion of our internal systems that assisted new client acquisition, client services, and internal data gathering and analysis.

Why would you recommend the Windward Network to Windward alumni and students?

The Windward Network is a resource that not many high schools provide to their students after graduation. The level of access and connections within LA are incredibly valuable, and I would encourage any student who is thinking about participating to apply to as many internships as possible. I can’t say enough about the amazing resources and help the Windward Network has provided me during my time at USC.

Where are you now?

Since graduating, I’ve signed a threeyear contract to become a Mergers and Acquisitions Analyst for Blackstone's Insurance Solutions group in New York City.

This position really is a dream job to me, and I recognize I would not have gotten this opportunity without the experience I gained through the Windward Internship program. Ed, Rob, and everyone at Gideon truly became mentors to me over the last two years, and the level of responsibility and experience they allowed me to have so early in my career was truly special and unique.

The work done by Windward and the Windward Network has had a lasting impact on my life and career, and I am extremely grateful to have attended the School and remained in touch with so many amazing faculty members! I would like to thank the parents, faculty, and students who make the Windward Network possible! Participating in Windward’s Internship program has certainly helped me to further my career and find a company for whom I genuinely enjoy working.