For some students, the co-op program is a chance to test the waters. For Shadeh Jaberi, it was a proving ground. Across two co-ops and an internship at some of the most recognizable names in finance and consulting, the D'Amore-McKim Class of 2026 student built a career trajectory that most professionals spend years pursuing.
Learning at the Highest Level
Jaberi's first co-op took her to Scotiabank's U.S. Corporate Access team in New York City, where she worked directly with institutional investors and corporate clients. The role was immediately immersive: coordinating logistics for investor conferences, preparing client-facing materials, and sitting in on meetings with senior executives. At just 20 years old, it was a deep dive into one of the world's most demanding financial environments.
I was 20 years old in a highly client-facing role, planning and attending investor conferences and operating in one of the fastest-paced cities in the world. It forced me to adapt quickly, communicate confidently, and develop a much stronger sense of awareness and professionalism.
Jaberi's second co-op, at McKinsey & Company on the M&A Insights team, brought a different kind of intensity. There, Jaberi conducted transaction research, analyzed deal trends, and built materials used by deal teams and clients across industries.
Take a look inside Shadeh's day as she wraps up her co-op here.
Over time, she became deeply involved in synergy analysis for M&A transactions, a role that required both analytical precision and strong communication skills, as the output directly informed real client conversations and strategic decisions. Between her two co-ops, she also completed an internship at J.P. Morgan in Commercial Banking, which is the same team she will be joining full-time after graduation.
Classroom to Boardroom
When asked which classroom skills translated most directly into professional settings, Jaberi doesn't point to a specific course. Instead, she highlights something more foundational: initiative.
Group projects at D'Amore-McKim became a training ground for the kind of ownership her co-ops demanded. Stepping into leadership roles, outlining structure, setting timelines, delegating responsibilities, and refining the final product, all those habits carried over seamlessly. Both co-ops required her to anticipate needs, prepare polished materials under tight deadlines, and consider how work would be received by senior stakeholders.
“School taught me how to organize chaos into something structured and presentable,” Jaberi says. “That has been invaluable in professional settings.”
The Discipline Behind the Drive
Beyond the resume highlights, Jaberi points to a quieter accomplishment she's equally proud of: her commitment to health and wellness. Daily workouts, disciplined routines, intentional nutrition, and prioritized recovery are not just personal habits but the foundation of the focus and reliability she brings to her professional life.
“Showing up to a 7 a.m. workout after a late night of studying builds mental resilience,” she explains. “Sticking to habits when no one is watching builds integrity.” It's a philosophy that underscores everything she does; the belief that quiet, consistent discipline is what makes excellence sustainable.
On campus, that same drive translated into a record of leadership and recognition that set Jaberi apart among her peers. She was named to the Huntington 100 and received the Top 10 Co-op Award while serving in roles such as Executive Presidential Ambassador, Husky Ambassador, and teaching assistant for the Family Enterprise course. A Karen T. Rigg Torch Scholar and founder of the PAC Program, she also served as President of the Northeastern Matcha Club and Vice President of Finance for Girls into Venture Capital. Her impact extended beyond Boston through a Dialogue of Civilizations program in Seoul, and into competition arenas, where she earned top finishes in Fintech Disrupt and a supply chain management case competition.
What's Next
After graduation, Jaberi will return to Los Angeles to begin her career at J.P. Morgan, working in the middle market across diverse industries. She's also planning to launch personal projects she's been building toward throughout 2026.
Looking back on her time at D'Amore-McKim, Jaberi sees a through line that she didn't fully appreciate in the moment, the idea that each co-op, each move, and each new environment taught her to embrace the unfamiliar rather than shy away from it.
D'Amore-McKim prepared me in ways I didn't expect by teaching me not to get too comfortable. I've learned to approach new experiences with curiosity instead of hesitation.
For Jaberi, this chapter is one she will remember as both exciting and formative, or the moment years of hard work began translating into real responsibility and opportunity. And if her trajectory so far is any indication, it's just the beginning.