Financial Markets Program - University of Minnesota

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Outcome of Learning – Graduates Ready to Perform, Ready to Succeed “We have had calls from other schools about the program and how it is structured,” said Dean Knudsen. “While trading rooms on campuses are becoming more the norm, very few have actually put together the resources and structure to support a program like this, including having a director committed to a team experience and team learning like we have.” And the fact the program’s applicant screening process is extremely selective appeals to not only potential employers, but prospective students as well. “Right after that first year, we created sort of a buzz on campus,” said Artim. “We are finding students are now coming to UMD specifically to be part of this program.” In regards to one of the program’s initial goals to provide employers with candidates prepared to perform without the need for training, the program can claim mission accomplished. “Excelled immediately without a lot of hand holding” is a typical theme in the comments from employers of the LSBE Financial Markets Program graduates. “The greatest usefulness of the program to Stolat as an employer is as a screening device,” said Jim Jarocki, President, Stolat Partners. “Those that make it into the program have the drive and skills to rise above the other business and non-business graduates who are seeking employment.” “Clifton believes the program produces above average candidates for hire in the investment fields due to the screening process involved with accepting students into the program,” added Jack Hansen, Principal, Clifton Group. “My supervisors are continually impressed with the quality of my work – especially having come right out of college with little ‘industry’ experience,” commented Michael Lundquist, ’03. “The experience I gained in the program 10 UMD LABOVITZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS – FINANCIAL MARKETS PROGRAM far exceeded any experience I may have gained working for a year in an office.” An important part of assuring that students are prepared for real-world experience is related to the amount of technical knowledge they receive during their program experience. “They (FMP graduates) have a stronger skill base with computer applications such as Excel and Powerpoint,” said Laura Schauer, CFA/Assistant Treasurer, ALLETE/Minnesota Power. “Many students claim mastery of such programs but really haven’t been forced to use them in applicable business circumstances while completing their education.” “Mark brings a much more technical background on the financial markets than the average financial advisor,” said Michael Murphy of Ameriprise Financial of employee and ’03 FMP graduate, Mark Sobiech. And of Joelle Hero, an ’06 FMP graduate, employer Nate Bullard, Merchandise Planning Manager, Target Corp., said, “By delving into the immense amounts of data we have available on historical sales, Joelle was able to identify patterns and recommend when new product should be set to maximize our financial performance.” The ability to excel by being a team player is one of the cornerstone’s of the Financial Markets Program and employers are taking notice. “My FMP hires exhibit excellent teamwork while interacting with others,” said Jennifer Kibbon of Thomson Reuters. Another employer of an FMP grad, Dale R. Larson of Wells Fargo, said, “Tom (Miller) has a very positive attitude and a genuine willingness to learn and improve in his role at the Bank. He is a great team member and a valued part of our team!” Of the importance of the team learning experience, Scott Wallschlaeger, an ’04
FMP graduate, said, “In my current career as a financial adviser, we put a strong focus on teams and truly believe that no one person is going to have all the answers. The program has helped me work as a team to develop strategies and take every team member’s opinion into consideration when making decisions.” Ultimately, the mission of this program intends to not only raise the bar for the level at which graduates would first enter the workforce, but the level at which graduates would perform once there. Following is testimony from a sampling of alumni who attest to the fact this intent is being realized with every graduating class: Adam Kuhlmann, ’06 Equity Trader, Wentworth, Hauser and Violich “The Financial Markets Program experience allowed me to build a solid foundation that has directly applied to the current financial markets. Entering the workforce with the experience from the program has proved invaluable. The experiential knowledge learned gave me a base to excel in my current position. I have been able to use the analytical tools and education from the FMP and directly apply it when screening companies for potential investment. I learned how to multi-task in an efficient manner and make important decisions based on the best available information. The presentation experience also allowed me to have a comfort for communicating research to others. Presenting research ideas to a committee is used in our stock selection process daily. Lastly, the leadership skills developed during the FMP allowed me to be confident with my decisions and work well in a team setting. Joe Artim has developed a program that allows any self-driven student who has a passion for the financial markets to excel in their future career.” Michael Lundquist, ’03 Floor Trader, wheat options pit, CBOT “While I firmly feel the experiences I had at UMD had a direct impact on my career path, I also feel the program has taught me so much more than that. The camaraderie and pure open nature of the program has made me into the person that I am today. I am greatly appreciative of what the FMP helped me learn regarding my place in the wide world of finance and my niche in the market. I have currently been a floor trader for oneand-a-half years, and I owe all that I have to the FMP program at UMD.” Robert Ethier, ’06 Investment Accountant & Operations Specialist, Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.Company “The program helped me gain insight into the global financial markets that I could not have received anywhere else. The analytical skills that I developed in the program have been instrumental thus far in my career helping me excel at my job and outperform my peers. The program offered an environment that really focused on personal growth. The time I put in paid huge dividends in term of networking opportunities and improving my public speaking skills. It also helped me become more confident in my ideas, because I had to be able to back them up not only in front of the investment committee but also my peers. I may not have had the confidence necessary to succeed in the financial industry when I first came to the program, but I certainly had it by the time I graduated.” Kelli Millslagle, ’07 Financial Analyst, ALLETE/MN Power “The program has given me real-world experience that I was able to apply on the job at day one. The program widened my financing skills and my presentation skills “ I owe all that I have to the FMP program at UMD.” – MICHAEL LUNDQUIST, ’03 – � Employers Take Notice of Graduates Going “Above & Beyond” EMPLOYER: Lisa Pelayo, V.P., Senior Equity Trader, Wentworth, Hauser and Violich, San Francisco, CA FMP GRADUATES EMPLOYED: adam kuhlmann ’06 “Adam has been a great employee. I think his exposure to the equity markets has been invaluable. He excelled immediately in all that he has taken on here at WHV. When I give him a task, he takes it and performs to my expectations without a lot of hand holding. I believe part of this is the experience gained from this program.” UMD LABOVITZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS – FINANCIAL MARKETS PROGRAM 11
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Financial Markets Program - University of Minnesota

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