Senior Enjoys Transition from Principal Financial Intern to Employee
For Jack Fordyce, his education at BVU offered a seamless transition from intern to employee at Principal Financial Group, a position he began his senior year. Through academics plus his participation in extra-curricular music, his experience was well-rounded.
The transition from college to career might be fairly seamless for Buena Vista University senior Jack Fordyce, a computer science major from Carroll.
Fordyce interned at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines during the summer of 2019. He was offered a job at the conclusion of his internship last August.
Additionally, Fordyce has spent his senior year working 15-20 hours per week for Principal as a remote employee, one who was living in the suites at BVU while finishing his degree.
“I’m very grateful for all my experiences at BVU. The computer science program, with Drs. Backman, Stone, and Shepherd will really challenge you. ”
Jack Fordyce
“My goal in applying for the internship at Principal as a junior was to secure a job with the company as I began my senior year,” says Fordyce, a software engineer who serves in application platform services for the company.
Fordyce’s summer at Principal could be viewed as a 180-degree turn from the experience he enjoyed the summer after his sophomore year at BVU. Fordyce played bass for a Nashville-based band that toured throughout the southeastern United States.
“I joined the band on a whim as they needed a bass player and I had a connection with the group,” he says. “We played lots of places, did lots of driving between shows, and a saw good portion of that region of the country. I would say that was a great experience, although it was also less than luxurious.”
He wouldn’t trade the rush or the memories. Not for anything.
Fordyce feels that way about BVU, too. He came from Carroll High School on the recommendation of a classmate who was intent on playing football for the Beavers. Fordyce visited campus, earned a prestigious scholarship, and was soon part of the concert band and jazz band.
“I’m very grateful for all my experiences at BVU,” Fordyce says. “The computer science program, with Drs. (Nathan) Backman, (Shawn) Stone, and (Jason) Shepherd will really challenge you. My sophomore and junior years, academically, were tough, but they really prepared me. We had several two-week projects to complete and you develop a grind-it-out mentality that I know will serve me well.”
As a “veteran” Principal employee, it likely has already.