Finance Resources for Underclass Students
The Career Center recommends that first-year and sophomore students take the following steps to explore their career interests in finance:
- Attend Explore 101: Career Options and Explore 201: Networking workshops. These workshops are offered throughout the semester. Visit Handshake for a schedule and to register.
- Meet with a Peer Advisor to work on your resume. Visit Handshake to schedule an appointment.
- Join a student club related to your career interests. Visit the student club website for the list of current clubs.
- Finance Club
- Attend employer information sessions for employer/firm(s) that are in your area of career interest – this is another way to explore different career fields. Visit Handshake for a list of employer information sessions.
- Attend industry-focused alumni programs that relate to finance. The Connect Team for Finance & Consulting schedules programs throughout the semester. Visit Handshake for a list of programs.
- Participate in Wall Street Prep (WSP) program. Held annually in the fall, this intensive 2-day virtual seminar is led by former investment bankers with applied expertise in financial and valuation modeling methodologies, and bridges the gap between academics and the real world to equip students with the practical knowledge they need to excel during the recruiting process and on the job. This program is free to students and made possible by the generosity of Howard Morgan '84, in memory of Carl Menges '51, P'00, and his many contributions to Hamilton College, and in honor of the Alexander Hamilton Institute. Check with your career advisor to register or to reserve an online seat.
- Take an accounting class. According to ... "Accounting serves as the foundation for almost all financial transactions". The college offers Econ 230 in the fall semester as a good option for learning the essentials of accounting.
Online resources and books to explore
General
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Bood for in-depth exploration and tutorials.
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A forum for college students; includes career guides for purchase.
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Focuses on the primary valuation methodologies currently used on Wall Street--comparable companies, precedent transactions, DCF, and LBO analysis--as well as M&A analysis.
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Handbook that can help managers, investors, and students understand how to foster corporate health and create value for the future—goals that have never been more timely.
Investment Banking
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Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers & Acquisitions by Josh Rosenbaum
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Free website with a variety of sell-side resources.
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The 400 Investment Banking Interview Questions & Answers You Need to Know
Helps you answer the most important “fit” and technical questions in investment banking interviews.
Equity Research
Asset Management
Corporate Finance
Insurance
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Check the “Explore” tab for an overview of the site.
Real Estate
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Scroll down to the “Job Category” section for a field overview.
Follow the markets with resources such as:
Network with alumni working in finance. Activate your My Hamilton Connect account to access the alumni directory. It is recommended that you meet with your career advisor to strategize networking prior to reaching out to alumni.
Additional information and suggestions:
- Interviews can start as early as informal coffee chats during the spring semester of sophomore year.
- First-year students are encouraged to attend coffee chats even if they are in the early stages of exploring finance.
- By sophomore year, students should have a more developed deeper understanding of their interests before participating in coffee chats.
- While applications for most junior summer analyst opportunities open around July 1st, applications for diverse candidates open earlier in March/April, although if they are not ready, they can certainly apply again in July.
