Summer Student Work: Ladd intern Polich ’15 finds the real deal at TM Capital
At the Boston office of TM Capital, where Brad Adams ’92 is a managing director, Ladd intern Zach Polich ’15 is learning what investment banking is really like.
![Ladd intern Zach Polich '15 and TM Capital managing director Brad Adams '92 pose at TM headquarters in Boston, located on the 25th floor of Hancock Place. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)](https://www.bates.edu/news/files/2013/08/web-130808_Zach_Polich_0426-600x400.jpg)
Ladd intern Zach Polich ’15 and TM Capital managing director Brad Adams ’92 pose at TM headquarters in Boston, located on the 25th floor of Hancock Place. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Name: Zach Polich ’15
Hometown: Westborough, Mass.
Major: Economics
Internship Sponsor: The college’s Ladd Internship Program offers Bates-funded summer internships with for-profit and nonprofit businesses that often feature alumni networking opportunities.
1. Can you describe a typical day in your office?
I take the train from Westborough into Boston and arrive in the office around 8:30 a.m. Typically I work alongside the analysts, but I’ve also had the opportunity to work directly on projects for Brad Adams ’92.
Analysts’ work mainly involves performing in-depth industry research, creating both written and visual portions of pitch books for potential clients and refining confidential information memorandums or management presentations.
By the time I finish my evening run — I do cross country at Bates — and get home to Westborough it’s about 10:30.
2. How does the work you’re doing at TM Capital connect to your studies at Bates?
I wouldn’t say the coursework I’ve done in my major and minor, economics and math, correlates directly with what I do on a daily basis at TM, but many of my courses emphasize the ability to creatively position information and think abstractly, which is what this industry is all about.
![Polich says an internship helps you "find a work environment that fits your personality." (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)](https://www.bates.edu/news/files/2013/08/WEB-130808_Zach_Polich_0292-200x300.jpg)
Polich says an internship helps you “find a work environment that fits your personality.” (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
3. What are you learning about the workplace?
Before this summer, I couldn’t explain my desire to get into investment banking beyond saying “I’ve read about it on Vault,” or “It sounds interesting and would fit my personality.” This opportunity gave me a tangible experience that I can speak to as to why I want to pursue a career in the field.
I’ve also learned the importance of workplace culture. Finding a work environment that fits your personality — rather than just chasing prestige — is an aspect of the job search that I might have overlooked had I not had this experience.
“I love it here.”
For me, the culture at TM Capital was a great fit. The environment had a collegial feel that enhanced efficiency, helping meet important project deadlines. I love it here.
Having the opportunity to work on projects alongside the analysts every day.
Working on various aspects of a deal cycle — from the initial solicitation to the closing management presentation — has not only given me a true sense of what I would work on as an analyst but also provided insight into tasks and responsibilities at all levels of management.