Sherifa C.

Financial Analyst

Sherifa Clarke started her journey at PayPal as a finance intern and quickly made an impact with her skills and enthusiasm, leading to her current role as a financial analyst in the Finance Rotational Program.

She recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in financial economics and a minor in Computer Information Systems and is currently pursuing her master's degree in management information systems at Texas State University, combining her passion for numbers with her interest in technology. Beyond work and study, she is always seeking opportunities to grow and learn, both professionally and personally.

In the blog below, Sherifa shares her personal experience during her first year at PayPal as a full-time employee after interning in 2021 and 2022.

A Journey from Intern to Full-Time Employee at PayPal

Reflecting on her first year as a full-time employee at PayPal, it’s hard for Sherifa to believe how much has changed since her internship days in 2021 and 2022. "It feels like just yesterday I was a wide-eyed intern, trying to master networking through Zoom," she says.

Her journey began remotely in 2021, when her main challenges were mastering the mute button and deciphering terms like "cryptocurrencies" and "forecasting.” “I quickly realized that PayPal is not just a company – it’s a community of brilliant minds dedicated to innovation and excellence,” she says, crediting her manager of Business Operations, Emily Koch, and her teammates for their support.

"If there's one key takeaway from my first year as a full-time employee, it's the importance of adaptability. PayPal is constantly evolving and the ability to picot quickly has become a crucial skill."

During her internships, Sherifa had opportunities to shadow senior analysts, engage in one-to-one coffee chats, and connect with mentors like Aaron Anderson, PayPal’s previous SVP, Global Treasurer. She also contributed to forecasting models and Xoom balance updates and was featured as the first Intern Spotlight on social media in 2022. “The experiences were amazing – scary but incredibly fun,” she reflects.

In July 2023, she transitioned to PayPal’s Finance Rotational program led by Emily Koch. “The program has been a game-changer for my personal and professional growth,” she shares. Her work under Justin Bertino and Regulatory Reporting under Brian Ahern allowed her to see global product and regulatory processes firsthand.

Looking forward, Sherifa values adaptability as her greatest lesson. “PayPal is constantly evolving, and the ability to pivot quickly has become my superpower,” she says. With excitement and pride, she is ready for her next challenges, confident that her adaptability will guide her through.