There is no substitute for experience. And getting a cross section of career financial experts together to share their experience and expertise with students, that's a powerful career booster offered by the Lundquist College of Business's Career Services office every year.
The annual Careers in Banking and Wealth Management took place in the Lillis Business Complex on January 21, 2015 and offered in-depth discussions as well as illuminated potential career opportunities for students.
Therese Kersjes, event and recruiting coordinator for the college's Career Services office, said the goals of the event were twofold. For students, it was all about career exploration and education, plus networking. For employers, the event offered an opportunity to get the word out about their company, as well as recruit for full-time, part-time, and internship positions.
This year's panel discussion topics included "Compliance and Analysis," a revised offering to better reflect those in the industry who work with the regulations-data side of the business. Instructor of finance Jon Moulton moderated the panel. Additional panels included "Banking and Wealth Management," moderated by assistant professor of finance Stephen McKeon, and "Women in Banking and Finance" moderated by Bill Sherman, director of career and advising services for the UO Department of Economics.
After the panels, students had the opportunity to visit with representatives from 16 finance- and wealth management-related companies and organizations, including US Bank, Aequitas Capital Management, Cascadia Investment Consultants, and even the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
For student attendee Karina Padilla, a business major with a concentration in finance, the event illuminated some important, if unwritten, guidelines—as well as a bit of inspiration.
"I learned about financial industry employers' expectations and standards for interns," she said. "It helped build my understanding of how I should conduct myself professionally in this industry. It seems it take a sense of courage and diligence to thrive in the financial industry, which in turn will open up so many opportunities and possibilities."