Summer Associate Intern

J&J's flagship finance program, the FLDP. Typically you do an internship or co-op and if management likes you, then you interview and might get an offer. I was in a co-op, and got the nod as I expressed interest. My manager pulled for me .... which was helpful.

Questions were fit based, as I met with three hiring managers and HR. My original manager did not interview me. Since I failed to network within the department the hiring managers were at, they already had some darlings lined up. Maybe I'm bitter, but the individuals who got in were within their specific group.

The only technical questions revolved around basic accounting as well as a DCF question. Having had worked at J&J .... essentially FLDPs are glorified accountants/excel monkeys.

Don't take this the wrong way, all entry-level finance fields are pretty much the same.

The culture is slow and laid back, people are close with one an another. Sleepy atmosphere where it's easy to wake up .... at 45 and be a senior analyst/manager making $100k or so a year. Not a bad deal, but the fact of the matter is .... you are fixing 'systems' issues for a living. Promotions are slow.

At the same time, a rock star graduate of the FLDP program can secure MBA funding (think NYU part time) and become a Sr. Manager by 30. Although this is the exception rather than the norm.

Takeaway - at J&J finance is viewed as a service. You serve sales, marketing, scientists, and management. In a few years your job will at GFS Manilla. if you work at J&J, you know what I mean.

$55k base for FLDPs last I heard in 2011.