Fuqua Daytime MBA students have a multitude of opportunities at their disposal to deepen their learning and expertise within finance, including through rigorous course offerings, extracurricular experiences, and Center programming.
Below, a selection of Daytime MBA students discuss their experiences and involvement within finance at The Fuqua School of Business.
Shaden Marzouk
I am so excited about the Center. I am seeing many of my ideas pertaining to business school education and Fuqua finance be carried out, and the Center frequently engage students to develop best practices, and it makes the students feel valued.
Where was your summer internship?
Goldman Sachs Investment Banking in the Healthcare division. I will be heading back there next fall.
Describe your experience prior to Fuqua. What sparked your interest in finance?
I came from a healthcare background and was a practicing neurosurgeon before Fuqua. I decided to come here to leverage Fuqua's Health Sector Management (HSM) assets and finance resources in order to jumpstart a career in healthcare investment banking. I wanted to affect more than just one person at a time, and I thought of this as a way to do so.
What has been a particular highlight of your finance experience at Fuqua?
I would say my mentored study. This experience allowed me to gain real-world experience in finance and equity research. I found this opportunity through the help of a professor and the Private Equity Club.
What has been your favorite finance class and why?
Corporate Finance. This was my first serious foray into finance, and I thought the course was well-taught and clear. I also found that I used a lot of these skills and concepts during my summer internship.
Describe a school event pertaining to finance that you found particularly interesting or helpful.
I particularly enjoyed the Future of Capitalism Symposium-I thought this was fantastic. This event brought in real industry heavyweights who candidly spoke with students about lending and finance.
Are you involved in the MBA Finance Club?
Yes, especially as a second year. I am involved on the cabinet level, which has allowed me to engage meaningfully with first years and in turn enhance my education and experience. There is no better way to ensure that you understand fundamental concepts than through teaching to our peers. Further, the opportunity to get involved and network within the club has been valuable as well.
Describe your involvement with the Center for Financial Excellence.
I have been involved, and I am so excited about the Center. I am seeing many of my personal ideas pertaining to business school education and Fuqua finance be carried out by the CFE. They also frequently engage students to develop best practices, and it makes the students feel valued.
Overall, how has Fuqua prepared you for a career in finance?
Through two ways:
1. It has provided contacts for networking through alumni and the recruitment process.
2. It has provided a well-rounded, thorough business education.
Describe your favorite part about Fuqua overall.
The people! They are smart, open, friendly, and collaborative.
back to topGed Johnson
Fuqua gave me the tools and the network - the rest was up to me and I couldn't be more pleased regarding where it has led me.
Where was your summer internship? Do you know where you are headed next year?
Goldman Sachs Financial Institutions Investment Banking (New York) - I will be returning full time.
Describe your experience prior to Fuqua-did you come from a finance background? What sparked your interest in finance?
I was a public accountant and a CPA with Deloitte & Touche LLP in New York from 2005 - 2009. I focused on the financial services industry group, spending most my time on the Bear Stearns and Blackstone accounts. I had an interest in investment banking since college but became fully committed after working on the audit side of two M&A transactions.
What has been a particular highlight of your finance experience at Fuqua?
Finally piecing together all the elements of valuation. I learned valuation piecemeal throughout college and in the workplace but never truly "got it" until corporate finance classes at Fuqua. This transition made interviews and my internship much easier and more productive and has allowed me to look at the world of finance through a clearer lens.
What has been your favorite finance class and why?
Financial Management - Advanced Applications, taught by Doug Breeden, the namesake of one of the key buildings at Fuqua. This class was supposed to be an introductory finance class but actually morphed into a lecture and discussion series regarding real-world application of fundamental financial concepts. It is my favorite because it effectively bridged the gap between academia and practice.
Describe a school event pertaining to finance that you found particularly interesting or helpful.
I've enjoyed the various speakers who have come through Fuqua including Jamie Dimon and then, via The "Future of Capitalism" panel in 2010, we got to hear from Alan Schwartz and David Rubenstein among others. It is always interesting to hear smart, experienced finance professionals discussing (and occasionally disagreeing upon) important issues.
I have also enjoyed being a part of the Asset Management Club's Reynolds Foundation where I have the privilege of pitching investment ideas to the club and if the idea receives the requisite number of votes, the club then purchases a block of shares.
Are you involved in the MBA Finance Club?
I am the Investment Banking Director within the Finance Club. A substantial responsibility is helping fellow Fuquans prepare for the recruiting process. Another way I get involved with the club is by regularly presenting at the Weekly Markets Discussion where we discuss current events in the world of finance (unconventional views welcome).
Overall, how has Fuqua prepared you for a career in finance?
It gave me the tools and the network - the rest was up to me and I couldn't be more pleased regarding where it has led me.
Are you involved in other student clubs? If so, which ones?
Asset Management, Private Equity, Golf and Soccer Clubs.
Why did you choose Fuqua?
It began with the strong reputation on Wall Street and ended with the "fit"; after a visit I could see myself doing very well here and having a great time.
Describe your favorite part about Fuqua overall.
Playing sports, meeting new people, Cameron Indoor Stadium, nice weather.
Lia Arapoglou
My favorite part about Fuqua is the people. You have an incredible opportunity to meet people from all over the world, who come from various backgrounds and have experienced many exciting things. The students here are far from boring!
Where was your summer internship?
Barclays Capital. I will be joining their Emerging Markets Sales desk next year.
Describe your experience prior to Fuqua. What sparked your interest in finance?
Prior to Fuqua, I spent several years at a boutique investment bank focused on middle market technology firms. My initial interest in finance was sparked when I visited my father on the trading floor for "Take your Daughter to Work Day" when I was 12 years old. During high school and at Fuqua, I participated in investment competitions and continued learning about global financial markets throughout college and business school.
What has been a particular highlight of your finance experience at Fuqua?
Two. 1) Representing Fuqua in stock pitch competitions 2) Preparing for interviews with my fellow students. Finance interviews are a VERY competitive process. However, Team Fuqua remained intact during this process. Students with similar interests (banking, sales and trading, etc.) worked together to prepare for interviews despite the fact they were competing for the same spot.
What has been your favorite finance class and why?
Global Financial Management taught by Professor Breeden. Professor Breeden has spent considerable time working in the finance industry and was able to enhance our class with his experiences.
Describe a school event pertaining to finance that you found particularly interesting or helpful.
Week on Wall Street was particularly helpful for me last year. It gave me an opportunity to meet with individuals from the various banks as well as an opportunity to get to know my fellow classmates better.
Are you involved in the MBA Finance Club? If so, elaborate upon your experience and whether the club developed your interests in finance.
I am one of the Finance Club Co-Presidents. As a first year, I was the FY Chair of Sales and Trading. Here, I was able to help my peers prepare for Sales & Trading interviews. I enjoyed this experience very much and as such wanted to continue helping students and improve the Finance experience at Fuqua for other students as one of the club's Co-Presidents.
Describe your involvement with the CFE. How has this center augmented your experience at Fuqua, with respect to finance or otherwise?
I have spent a fair amount of time with the CFE whether it has been sitting on panel discussions or meeting with members from the CFE. The Center conducts Boot Camps, which are and will be very helpful to students interested in pursuing a career in Finance.
Overall, how has Fuqua prepared you for a career in finance?
Fuqua has helped me prepare for a career in finance through 1) markets discussions 2) guidance and advice from faculty, staff, and second years, 3) coursework.
Are you involved in other student clubs? If so, which ones?
Asset Management Club.
Why did you choose Fuqua?
I wanted to attend a school that was strong in all areas, not just Finance. Since I came from a finance background and I knew I wanted to continue pursuing a career in finance, business school was an opportunity for me to explore other areas as well. I did not want my experience in these other areas to be second-rate. Also, Team Fuqua and the students brought me here.
Describe your favorite part about Fuqua overall.
My favorite part about Fuqua is the people. You have an incredible opportunity to meet people from all over the world, who come from various backgrounds and have experienced many exciting things. The students here are far from boring!