In March, the Roland George Investments Program took 18 of its students on a trip to New York City. During their stay, the students had the opportunity to visit several financial firms including BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, the New York Federal Reserve, StoneX, Milbank LLP, and Fredericks Michael & CO, who currently employ Stetson alums.
Beginning with a visit to BlackRock–which is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading asset management firms–the students had an in-depth conversation about fiduciary responsibilities and the crucial role of establishing trust in financial dealings. At Goldman Sachs, the students met with investment banking liaisons from various sectors, including consumer staples, natural resources, and leveraged credit.
The students also visited the New York Federal Reserve, where they learned about market operations, which was particularly enlightening given the recent bank failures. Upon a visit to Milbank LLP, the students received a detailed explanation of the JetBlue/Spirit merger and gained insights into the complexities of large-scale corporate finance deals.
During their visit to StoneX, our students had the privilege of meeting with the heads of each of the firm’s trading divisions, including equity, debt, natural resources, precious metals, and derivatives. This provided them with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge from some of the industry’s top professionals.
In contrast to some of the world’s largest firms–Fredericks Michael & CO offered a personalized approach, emphasizing the importance of establishing strong personal connections in targeted cross-border mergers in the upper-middle market. Our students gained a valuable perspective on the significance of relationship-building in the business world.
These experiences are a vital part of our program’s curriculum, providing students with practical information, advice, and a firsthand understanding of how theoretical knowledge is applied in real-world settings. They also enable our students to establish professional connections, expand their network, and explore various career paths within their field.
Witnessing successful program alumni in action inspires and motivates our students, reinforcing the value of education and effort in achieving a rewarding career. Overall, these visits offer invaluable opportunities to gain insights and establish connections that will benefit our students as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
We are extremely proud of these students and are thrilled that they had the opportunity to meet with some of their fellow hatters.