Meet the NYC Startup Internship Alumni: Jordana Stern

Growing up on Long Island, I spent plenty of time in New York City. But it wasn't until I got older that I started to understand the work and ambition that defines the city and makes it run. As a rising senior at CUNY Queens College pursuing a bachelor’s in economics with a minor in mathematics, I'm approaching the point in my life where finding a job is the next big step.

This summer, through the NYC Startup Internship Program, I am a business development & partnerships intern at ANI. ANI is an experiential employee wellness and benefits platform. Offering cultural, arts, sports, and other experiences, ANI’s platform improves employee engagement and corporate culture. In my role, I compile information on prospective experience providers and corporate clients, conduct outreach to prospects, and keep a continuous line of communication with partnership leads.

Through this program, I've developed technical skills, like how to work with a CRM and design spreadsheets. And beyond the technical skills, this internship has expanded my network in ways I didn't expect. I've connected with my co-interns, and also paired with a mentor—a relationship I plan to carry well beyond the summer.

On a typical day, I’ll have a one-on-one meeting with my boss and CEO, Emeka Kanu. We usually discuss the previous week's agenda and what to prepare for the week ahead. Then I get to work—whether that means researching new prospects, drafting outreach emails, or following up with partners already in the pipeline.

After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in analytics or operations—something that lets me dig into data and solve real problems. And building that career in NYC isn't just a plan, it's the whole point. Growing up so close to the city, it always felt like it was where things actually happened: And I'm ready to be part of it!

To any NYC student considering the NYC Startup Internship Program: Just do it. Be curious, show up, and take advantage of everything around you. The connections you make and the things you learn will stick with you long after the summer ends.