Former students shared insights on how to make the most of your Elon experience and tips on adjustment to post-college life.
The William Garrard Reed Finance Center hosted the annual Finance Young Alumni Panel on Nov. 2 in Richard W. Sankey Hall.
Recent Love School of Business graduates shared their professional journey since leaving Elon as well as advice for students looking to launch a career in finance. Assistant Professor Kate Upton, director of the Reed Finance Center, moderated the discussion.
The panel included:
Michael Guadagnino ’18, commercial banking associate at Citizens Bank
Kelly Porter ’18, assurance associate at PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Nicole Resetar ’18, business advisory consultant at Ernst & Young
Dan Ford ’18, risk analyst at Credit Suisse
Leo Moran ’16, analyst at Credit Suisse
The panel’s advice included:
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Learn how to use the Bloomberg terminals in the Reed Finance Center. Many positions in the finance field will regularly involve the use of Bloomberg terminals or similar software for research purposes. By taking the initiative to understand how to utilize their capabilities, you can easily set yourself apart from other job candidates.
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Solicit feedback from professionals in the Porter Center on your resume. The staff members are in regular conversation with recruiters and know how to showcase your previous experiences into a single document that will resonate with employers.
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Take on leadership roles and ownership for project deliverables, then develop these as talking points for interviews. Once you get beyond the face value of your resume, employers expect you to articulate your traits and qualifications by making the connection to real-world examples.
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Find a mentor within your company. Soon after starting your position, make a conscious effort to find someone established at your firm that you admire and feel comfortable reaching out to. They can be an endless source of career advice and advocate for you within the company.
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Practice advocating for yourself. Ask your manager what you need to do in advance and have a conversation to understand what it will take to achieve your career goals.
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Take care of yourself. When entering a new chapter of your life, it is easy to get wrapped up in all the changes but it is important to prioritize your health and ensure a healthy work-life balance.