JMU finance grad finishes TCF internship and heads to Smithfield Foods
I saw the real-world impact tied to my work and enjoyed solving problems that didn’t have a black-and-white answer.
– Nick Marks, JMU ‘25
With supporting educational opportunities among its strategic priorities, The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham currently hosts a paid internship program in accounting – with plans to add opportunities in communications and marketing.
Nick Marks, a senior finance major at James Madison University, came on board in fall 2024 and decided to stay on through spring 2025. Marks leaves having gained “a ton of knowledge in accounting,” which he believes helped him through a rigorous application process that culminated in a job offer in early 2025.
“Accounting is the language of business, so having a strong background in accounting is very sought-after for a finance role,” he said.
TCFHR’s director of accounting, Anna Wagner, was his supervisor.
“Working with Anna, who has impressive accounting experience, was valuable because she was dedicated to helping me develop as a professional, not just getting the work done,” Marks said. “Having one-on-one exposure to the director of accounting is super valuable, and likely very hard to find with an internship.”
After graduation, Marks will join Smithfield Foods in their Career Foundations program, a two-year experience which allows him to rotate through aspects of the corporate structure while developing professional skills, honing his corporate finance skills, and learning the core business of the company.
Marks is a graduate of Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, so the move to southeast Virginia sends him a bit closer to home.
Though he always had the goal of working in corporate finance, Marks says the principles of business for a nonprofit are similar. He’s come away with an increased appreciation for the work of the community foundation, its impact, and the reach of its work.
“Nick has been a great support for our team, always providing quality results for any new task he takes on,” Wagner said. “All the skills that I’ve seen Nick cultivate throughout the internship will contribute to his future success in corporate finance. I hope what he has learned from the philanthropic sector will help him continue to see how the world of business can partner with nonprofits as they make a difference in their communities. Congratulations on a well-earned graduation!”
In addition to his TCF internship, Marks worked as a student venture associate at the Bluestone Seed Fund, a donor-backed, equity investment vehicle that invests in early-stage JMU-affiliated startups through a competitive pitch process. The fund operates through the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship in JMU’s College of Business.
