For FAU Finance Students, 2023 was a Banner Year

A sponsorship from JPMorgan Chase in 2023 gave Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business the opportunity to launch major initiatives to help students interested in finance careers.

The college established a Careers in Finance program that is open to all students but specifically designed to train finance professionals. The grant also let FAU create a student recruitment program for the finance department and develop a student-managed investment program, giving students experience in managing investment portfolios with real money while being mentored by industry professionals.

In addition, the JPMorgan support allowed the college to teach investment classes and develop a minor for finance majors focused on managed investments.

In March, August and October, a three-part Speakers Professional Series put students in touch with finance professionals who shared their industry experiences and offered tips for launching careers.

The speaking events help to promote a diverse student body in finance at FAU, said Douglas Cumming, Ph.D., finance department chair and the DeSantis Distinguished Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship.

“They complement a growing portfolio of new programs at FAU, including the new Pollen Capital-sponsored Student Managed Investment Fund, and two new minor and certificate programs in Investments and FinTech,” Cumming said. “The generous sponsors enable FAU to provide the students with the best training to help students secure placements at leading institutions.”

Finance instructor Anna Pomeranets, Ph.D., said the speakers’ series was well attended, an indication of the strong interest in finance at FAU.

“With several hundred students in attendance across the three events, they found the sessions to be insightful, the networking opportunities valuable and the Q&As informative,” she said. “The events enhanced their understanding of finance career paths available at JPMorgan Chase.”

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