The Employee Experience at Whittier Trust

A Journey from Internship to Full-Time Excellence

At Whittier Trust, our clients are the core of all we do. We're dedicated to delivering a tailored wealth management experience that prioritizes our clients' families, estates, and legacies. To achieve this, we assemble exceptional teams around our clients, comprising top-tier professionals and talent cultivated through our robust internship program. Many of our interns become full-time employees, ensuring our team's expertise is deeply rooted in our values. For these individuals, working at Whittier Trust isn't just a job; it's a dynamic journey of learning, mentorship, and growth. We spoke with seven former interns, now full-time team members, to explore the Whittier Trust experience from their perspective.

The Internship Experience

"I think what really stood out to me throughout my first internship with Whittier was just the willingness for each employee to actually take the time and meet with you,” says Taylor Hughes, a former intern and now Officer and Client Advisor at Whittier Trust. “Not only did I get one-on-one time with top-level people, I was included in a lot of conversations and given projects that were actually interesting and not just busy work.”

Matthew Mackel, a former intern, now Investment Analyst with Whittier Trust adds, "I was really amazed by the people and the culture and really the growth mindset of the culture. You can go and talk to anybody, even someone who is at the highest level of the company, and often they'd come and talk to me first.”

These personal connections don’t stop once interns leave Whittier Trust as William Dodds, a former intern and now Client Advisor, notes, "My mentors really cared about me as a person and about my development... it wasn't a transactional relationship. It wasn't, 'Your internship is done, you're back to college, and hopefully you learned something.'”

Katie Muzzin, a former intern turned Officer and Investment Analyst, further highlights the emphasis on mentorship and personal development at Whittier Trust. "Everyone at the firm, especially the investment team, has taken the time to not only teach me and answer my questions, but they've also tailored my projects to areas where I was most interested in and wanted to develop my skills."

However, an internship at Whittier Trust isn't just about technical skills. Derek Galvan discovered the importance of EQ (emotional intelligence) during his internship. He explains that "what really makes a difference in business development and client relationships is being personable and learning that side of the business… as we value relationships with clients at the level we do here, it’s probably the most necessary skill."

Transitioning to Full-Time Employees

Danny Schenker, a Vice President and Client Advisor in the Reno Office, cites these client relationships as a major reason why he returned to Whittier Trust. “No two days are the same. We're a family office and with the family office, we offer our clients a lot of concierge services.”

Katie Muzzin points out that the internship experience at Whittier Trust showcased that the firm doesn't just overdeliver, but genuinely cares about its clients. Matthew Mackel concurs, “We have really close connections with our clients. You know, we're in their life. We're not just sending out a report saying ‘Here's how you're doing it for this year. See you next year.’ We learn how to approach things holistically and that necessitates a strong relationship.”

Muzzin expands on the firm's client-centric philosophy, noting that, "We measure success across generations rather than in years." This long-term, client-focused approach guides employees at Whittier Trust, ensuring that they continue to prioritize their clients over anything else.

Danny Schenker also notes the satisfaction he feels from solving unorthodox problems for his clients. "I feel like at Whittier, I'm challenged to come up with unique solutions to complex situations, and with each challenge that I work on and get to solve, I feel like I get to add another tool to my toolbox."

The journey from intern to full-time employee at Whittier Trust is marked by continuous learning and personal development. The trust that interns receive during their internship carries over as they step into more significant roles. Katie Muzzin highlights that the transition comes with ongoing support: "Whittier and my team have continued to support me in furthering my education and ensuring that I have the time and resources necessary to succeed."

Katie Muzzin also valued the trust she received immediately from her team: "They have always treated me as an equal part of the team since day one and have shown that they value my opinion throughout my time here." After starting as a full-time member at Whittier Trust, Katie was quickly asked to take on key roles in important projects, such as the due diligence of private asset managers and managing alternative asset funds.

Matthew Mackell adds, "It's where the culture of the firm comes from, everyone wanting to promote each other and help each other.”

This culture extends beyond client work. "Whittier is also really supportive of the nonprofit community which is something that I hold close to my heart. I'm on the Young Professionals Committee of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Northern Nevada and also serve as the President of the Planned Giving Round Table of Northern Nevada,” says Danny Schenker. He notes that not only does his office give employees the full support they need to pursue philanthropic work important to them, but also organizes opportunities for all employees to volunteer.

What advice would you give to interns now?

Whittier Trust interns come from diverse backgrounds, but they all share a common trait: curiosity and passion. As Derek Galvan highlights, "A lot of people have those technical skills. But coming in, you really have to accept that you're not going to know a lot and you're going to have to ask a lot of questions, a lot of the right questions."

Reflecting back to his first few months at Whittier Trust, William Dodds notes, "Coming in with an open mind and accepting that you're not going to know everything and just learning from the people with experience... That's really what helped me grow within this company."

"I think the thing that could be the most helpful is just stay curious,” agrees Taylor Hughes. “Make sure that you continue to ask questions and demonstrate that you care deeply about the work that you're doing.”

William Dodds adds, "Asking ‘why’, is something that I learned over the course of my internship... all of those people that ended up in senior roles have spent their career asking ‘why’."

Matthew Mackel says, "One of the interesting things about the people here is that there's no ego. And, so I'd say take full advantage, and talk with your superiors and learn as much as you can and show a passion. I think one of the things about Whittier Trust employees is that they're passionate, and they care about their work. So I think if you're someone who is looking to go  full time, that's kind of how you want to approach work."

At Whittier Trust, we understand that the well-being of our clients’ estates is only as strong as the team behind it. Whittier Trust's internship program provides an exceptional foundation for young professionals to develop their skills and gain insights into wealth management. As evidenced by the number of interns who are now full-time employees at Whittier Trust, they carry with them a wealth of experience, mentorship, and a profound commitment to client satisfaction. The journey from internship to full-time employment at Whittier Trust is not only a testament to the firm's dedication to personal development but also a demonstration of the potential for individual growth within a thriving company.