From First-Generation College Student to Financial Analyst: My Journey to Virginia Natural Gas

How Did I Land My Internship?
I think it is important to first talk about my background. I was not born in the United States and did not move here until I was 10 years old. At that age, I had to learn an entirely new language, navigate a completely new school system, and adjust to a new life in the United States.

I graduated from high school in 2021 and started college that fall at 17 years old. As a first-generation college student, applying to college, completing the FAFSA, and navigating the entire college process was challenging because I did not have anyone in my family who could help or guide me in the right direction.

After completing my first year at Old Dominion University, I was offered a position as a Mathematics Tutor and Teaching Assistant. I worked at ODU from August 2022 through the Spring 2025 semester. During my first two years of college, I did not apply for any internships because I was unfamiliar with the process. I was also under the misconception that I needed to take more classes or gain significantly more knowledge before I could qualify for an internship. It was not until the fall of 2024 that I realized I was close to graduating and that securing an internship would improve my chances of finding a full-time job after graduation. As a result, I began applying for internships and attending career fairs on campus.

Colleges use an app called Handshake to help students find jobs and internships, and students often receive emails from recruiters through the platform. I started researching companies that reached out to me and conducted my own job search outside of Handshake. I applied for positions on LinkedIn, Indeed, and directly through company websites.

One day, I received an email from Kenny Holiday on Southern Company Gas's Talent Acquisition team. He informed me that I met some of the qualifications they were seeking for a Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) internship with Southern Company. At the time, I had never heard of Southern Company before. However, when I saw that the position was with Virginia Natural Gas, I became interested and began researching Southern Company and its various LDCs.

I believe I applied in November, and during the first week of December, I received a phone call. I rarely answer calls from unknown numbers, so Kenny left me a voicemail introducing himself and asking me to return his call. When I called him back, he explained that the team had reviewed my resume and would like to schedule an interview within the next few days.

The timing was difficult because it was finals week, and I almost canceled the interview because I needed as much time as possible to study. However, I decided to attend. I was extremely nervous, but I completed the interview. At the end of the interview, I asked the FP&A team who had interviewed me for a piece of advice.

One of the financial analysts told me something that has stayed with me ever since:

"Don't ever feel like you don't belong in a room because the moment you find yourself in that room, it's because you've earned your seat at the table."

As a first-generation Latina, I have sometimes struggled with impostor syndrome. At times, it has made me question whether I truly belong in the rooms I find myself in and in the conversations I am fortunate enough to be part of. When she shared that advice, I immediately felt that if I received the internship offer, this would be a place where I would enjoy working and growing professionally.

About two weeks passed, and I began to think I was not going to receive an offer. During that time, I interviewed for another internship opportunity with ODU. On the very day I needed to decide whether to accept ODU's offer, Kenny called and offered me the internship at Virginia Natural Gas. At that moment, I knew VNG was the right choice for me.

My Internship Experience
I started my internship in January 2025. Initially, I thought I would only be at VNG from the spring semester through the summer. However, on my first day, I learned that the internship would last an entire year. That is how I became the Financial Planning and Analysis team's first yearlong intern.

During my internship, I began by assisting with smaller tasks, such as researching expenses and pulling data for rate cases. As I gained experience, I was assigned recurring monthly responsibilities and began supporting month-end close activities.

During the summer, I worked on two major projects. One project was for the FP&A team, where I assisted with budgeting activities for our large commercial customers. I was also assigned to a group project with fellow interns from Southern Company Gas. Over the course of two months, we researched Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and hydrogen blending and developed a presentation for Management Council about how these initiatives could help the company achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

In July, we traveled to Southern Company Gas headquarters in Atlanta to present our project. I gained valuable hands-on experience throughout my internship, and it reinforced my desire to pursue a career in FP&A. From my very first day, I felt welcomed and supported by everyone on the team. For me, the inclusive, collaborative, and enthusiastic work environment confirmed that this was a company I wanted to work for in the future.

I graduated from Old Dominion University on Dec. 13, 2025, with a double major in International Business and Finance. My last day as an intern at VNG was Dec. 18, 2025. I knew I wanted to remain with the company, but unfortunately, there were no opportunities available within the FP&A team at that time.

Returning to VNG
In January, I took time to travel and recharge after spending the previous two semesters balancing work and classes. I began applying for jobs in February, and my manager, Stephanie Segida, informed me about an opportunity within Regulatory. Although I was excited about the possibility of returning to VNG, I was not entirely sure that a career in Regulatory was the right fit for me.

While interviewing with other companies, Stephanie reached out again a few months later. Someone on her team had moved into the Regulatory role, creating an opening within FP&A, and she thought of me for the position. I knew immediately that this was the right opportunity for me, and I was thrilled to return to VNG, this time as a full-time Financial Analyst.

Coming back to VNG was exciting because everyone made me feel genuinely welcome. I returned with valuable experience gained during my internship, and just one month into my new role, I knew this was exactly where I was meant to be.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and at the right time. This opportunity feels like an answer to my prayers. I am grateful for every opportunity to grow, learn, and challenge myself, and I am excited to continue building my career at Virginia Natural Gas.