Student Spotlight: Maria Murad

Maria Murad is a sophomore double-majoring in Corporate/Business Communications and French Language and Literature, with a minor in Creative Computing.  

This past summer, she worked as an IT Consulting and Strategy Intern at Ernst and Young in Amman, Jordan from June 14-July 20. The internship was rotational with two weeks spent with the Strategy and Execution team and three weeks spent with the Business Consulting/Technology Risk Team.  

After a work-heavy application and interview process, I am happy to have accepted this internship because EY is a company full of expertise and provided me with unmatched experience. I am grateful to the EY MENA recruiting team for guiding me and to my family for always teaching me to believe and to achieve.

Murad detailed her internship below: 

Strategy and Execution

I calculated multiple key profitability and financial ratios such as assets, equity, loans, ROE, ROI, ROA, debt-to-income, etc. for Saudi Arabia's 11 local banks to provide stakeholders with potential financial challenges and future implemental strategies. Eventually, I conducted a financial analysis report on my market research to assess and safeguard the banks’ stability, security, and financial health.

Business Consulting & Technology Risk 

I assisted in performing an IT audit for Hikma Pharmaceuticals. The company was looking to launch a new application called 'Veeva' and partnered with the EY IT Consulting Team to discuss issues. We evaluated all internal controls to verify the application's behavior and make sure it worked well before launch day.

Murad is also majoring in French Language and Literature and is president of the SMU French Club. She has big plans for the club this year: 

As President of the SMU French Club, I am looking to recruit more people, collaborate with my awesome officer line on different projects and events, as well as hold study/tutor sessions to help students in their French classes. Some of the event ideas that we have in mind consist of cheese-tasting, French film nights, Macaron-making and more! 

Murad’s post-graduation plans are either to get a dual master's degree in communications and business (MA/MBA) or pursue an MBA with a concentration in IT Management.