This summer, Tala got some fresh energy from a group of passionate interns who were eager to jump in to help further our mission of unleashing the economic power of the global majority.
From conducting communications research to exploring AI applications on our New Ventures team, the crew immersed themselves in our work and tackled complex problems while getting to learn from some of the brightest minds in fintech.
We sat down with Annika Iyer, Chloe Aviolo, and Stephen Cisz, to hear about their Tala internship experience, including the projects they worked on and the lessons they’ll be taking with them.
What initially drew you to Tala, and how has your understanding of our mission evolved since you started your internship?
Annika Iyer, MBA Intern: I fundamentally believe that digital and financial access are critical to improving livelihoods and resilience at both the individual and community levels. I knew I wanted to work for a company bridging the divide in access and thus was drawn to Tala’s core thesis: data fuels a virtuous cycle that can sustainably expand access and improve social outcomes.
A big unlock for me was realizing that our role is to serve as an enabler that unleashes the power of marginalized individuals. At Tala, ‘Power to the People’ isn’t just a slogan, it’s embedded in its mission. So many companies talk about solving problems for underserved populations, but lasting change can only come from within those communities themselves. Tala understands that its role is to equip and empower, not to impose.
Chloe Avioli, Communications Intern: As a student with a finance background, I was initially drawn to Tala by its unique blend of social impact and business. Beyond just empowering the global majority, I saw how Tala’s mission is deeply embedded in its internal values, collaborative culture, and shared goals among employees. By the end of my internship, I had a much more holistic view of not only Tala’s mission statement, but also the dynamics that drive the company from within.
Stephen Cisz, New Ventures (AI) Intern: After discovering Shivani’s 2016 TED Talk, I reached out to a Tala employee in my university network to learn more about the company’s unique approach to unlocking access to credit for those who have been historically underserved. During that initial conversation, I was immediately inspired and drawn by the company’s mission to make financial services smarter, faster, and more accessible worldwide.
Since starting my internship, I’ve come to better understand the power and importance of data as an equalizer for the global financial system. I’ve also become more reflective in my own work. Instead of completing tasks as fast as possible and moving on, I make time to assess my decisions – taking stock of what’s working, what isn’t, and how I can improve things moving forward. It’s made all the difference!
Can you describe a typical day at Tala and share more about a specific project you’ve been working on?
Annika: As an MBA intern, I worked on a range of projects spanning strategy, operations, and product. My primary focus was on market research, diligence, and strategic planning for Tala’s expansion efforts over the next year and beyond.
On a daily basis, I was interfacing with many different teams across the organization to better understand Tala’s differentiators that drive success for customers in new markets. I really enjoyed getting to know and work with so many people of different backgrounds and areas of expertise. I felt like a sponge trying to soak up as much information as possible!
Chloe: I spent my internship working on a number of different research and competitive analysis projects designed to help Tala refine its communications. From social media to thought leadership and company values, I explored how other leading brands were presenting themselves externally and synthesized a comprehensive set of recommendations to help shape future strategy.
Stephen: There really wasn’t a typical day at Tala, and that’s exactly what I loved about my internship. Each day presented new opportunities and challenges, and I was excited to tackle them head-on. A key part of my role involved leveraging emerging software and technology to analyze the firm’s data. It was incredibly rewarding to see how this work directly contributed to helping Tala better serve its customers.
How has working in your specific department given you a unique perspective on Tala’s overall operations?
Annika: Credit and lending have historically faced criticism for practices that can feel exploitative or misaligned with the needs of the communities they serve. What surprised me most about Tala is the foundational belief that individuals are inherently capable, resourceful, trustworthy, and deserving. It’s one thing to articulate this philosophy, and another to build an entire culture around it. Before joining, I hadn’t seen a for-profit company fully embody and operationalize this kind of values-driven approach.
Chloe: Working in communications gave me a great window into the strategic thinking behind a company’s internal and external presence. I not only learned about Tala’s business model, but also developed a profound appreciation for the dedication and hard work that goes into making its mission a reality!
Stephen: I was fortunate enough to work on a team where there was no judgement or second-guessing – only trust and constructive feedback to build on the perspectives of one another’s work. This rang true across the whole organization.
Everyone at Tala, regardless of level or function, acts as one strong team working together to further the same mission. It was inspiring to see such a clear level of alignment and shared passion.
How do you see your internship at Tala helping you achieve your future career goals, and what skills have you developed that you’ll carry forward?
Annika: Coming from Mastercard, which sits more on the enabler end of the financial services spectrum, it was incredibly valuable to gain experience operating within a fintech company. I’ve now seen firsthand how partnerships across the financial services ecosystem can unlock the ability to sustainably reach the majority of the world’s population.
More practically, this internship helped sharpen my strategic thinking, stakeholder communication, and market evaluation skills. I’m excited to keep building on this experience as I head into my second year at MIT Sloan and beyond!
Chloe: My internship at Tala strengthened my skills in competitive analysis, writing, and presentation. I’ve learned that strong communication is so important, and it’s a skill I will carry forward in my career.
Stephen: My experience at Tala this summer has given me more than I could’ve imagined! In my studies at Cornell, I am constantly looking at the intersection of how statistical analysis drives public policy outcomes. As part of Tala’s New Ventures team, I was able to apply that classroom knowledge towards actually solving real world problems.
I developed valuable skills and learned to use tools and platforms like Python, SQL, Snowflake, Jupyter, Notebook, and Lookr – some of which were completely foreign to me before the start of the summer! I can definitively say that I’m far more confident in my ability to spot trends and formulate hypotheses from large data sets thanks to the team’s mentorship and guidance.
If you could give one piece of advice to a future Tala intern, what would it be?
Annika: Take time to reflect on why you chose to work at a company like Tala, especially one operating in emerging markets. Challenge your assumptions, be curious, and use the experience to test what truly energizes and excites you about a role!
Chloe: Ask questions and be curious! Internships are designed to help you learn and grow. Even if a certain project doesn’t seem exciting at first, lean into it and you might end up really liking it and learning a lot.
Stephen: Tala is a place where you can really make a difference. Your work will be challenging, but it’ll give you the opportunity to meaningfully apply your skills to solve real world problems.
My biggest piece of advice would be to be intentional about the process you use to complete a task. Ask questions, learn from others, incorporate your own intuition, and remember to reflect on the outcomes!
Inspired by their stories? Follow Tala on LinkedIn to stay informed about all our career opportunities, including future internship programs.