On Screen and Off WSFS Intern Class Keeps Learning

By WSFS Contributor | Published: July 2020

Internships provide an opportunity to take principles learned in the classroom and apply them in the real world, while gaining experience that can’t be found in a textbook, to build the foundation for future careers.

WSFS Bank has remained committed to finding a way to provide these invaluable learning experiences to students from across the Delaware and Greater Philadelphia region, despite these challenging times.

As state shutdowns began taking place in the spring, the Bank found new ways to provide on-the-job learning experiences, adjusting its internship program to provide the same real-world lessons through a virtual program.

“Our internship program has been around for more than 20 years, and despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, we didn’t want to deprive students of valuable learning experiences,” said Patrick Best, Vice President, Manager of Talent Acquisition at WSFS Bank. “We have more than 140 interns working with us this summer in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We’ve transitioned the program to a virtual learning experience for some, while many other interns will still work onsite at our banking locations.”

Many interns were sent laptops and onboarded virtually, while retail banking interns received onsite training at the banking locations where they will work.

While WSFS is committed to its interns, it’s also clear  that the interns are dedicated to the Bank and its culture, with many returning from last year.

“I interned with WSFS last summer and over the winter and am thrilled to be back,” said Bailey DeLellis, an intern in the Small Business Administration Lending Department. “I loved working at WSFS and had a lot of great mentors at the Bank, so I couldn’t wait to come back for more opportunities to learn from them.”

And while some interns are returning, others never left. 

“I loved the people I worked with and it’s such a good company to work for,” said Amy Everhart, a retail banking intern at the Fox Run Banking Office. “I interned last summer and worked Saturdays through the school year. The Customers are always so interesting and it’s a great opportunity to learn. You can learn something from everyone you interact with.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Cierra Jones, an intern in the Human Capital Management Department.

“I’ve been working for WSFS for two years now since my school is located nearby in Wilmington,” she said. “I fell in love with the organization and the role I get to play in helping my department. In the past, I’ve helped plan activities for our interns. With the program being mostly virtual this year, I have the opportunity to find fun and interactive ways for the interns to still have networking and learning opportunities with other WSFS Associates and outside the Bank.”

The Bank is partnering with Campus Philly and Intern Delaware, which will provide interns with valuable networking opportunities throughout WSFS’ footprint as well as educational seminars featuring speakers such as Delaware Governor John Carney and Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. 

“Unfortunately, a lot of my classmates had their internship programs cancelled due to current circumstances,” said Matthew Verdi, who interned as a bank teller last summer and returned this summer to work for WSFS Mortgage. “WSFS communicated early that despite the unprecedented times, they would still be moving forward with internships. I enjoyed working with Customers last year and am excited for the opportunity to learn and contribute to a different line of business this summer.”

Whether it’s helping Customers or the community or committing to providing students an opportunity to learn on the job, one thing is clear, WSFS truly stands for service.

To search for Careers at WSFS, please visit our Careers page.