Students Network with Major Finance Firms in Chicago and St. Louis

May 9, 2023

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. ⁠— During the spring semester, members of two registered student organizations at Illinois Wesleyan University had the opportunity to network with professionals at top-tier finance firms during trips to Chicago and St. Louis.

Students with the Women in Finance RSO and Investments/Trading Club visited Chicago on March 24 where they explored three nationally and internationally recognized finance firms: BMO Harris, Northern Trust and the Chicago Board Options Exchange. On April 14, the groups traveled to St. Louis to meet with NISA Investment Advisors, one of the largest investment firms in the U.S.; and Edward Jones.

The trips, funded in part by supportive alumni, were coordinated by Assistant Professor of Finance Mikhail Munenzon who serves as the faculty advisor for both RSOs. 

“Students were very engaged and happy to experience what high-level finance professional careers, environments and expectations might look and feel like, instead of just talking about it with me,” said Professor Munenzon. 

During the visits, students attended presentations and spoke with senior and junior staff, floor traders and heads of departments. Finance major William Duff '25, co-founder of the Investments/Tragin Club said “it was phenomenal” to interact with senior staff members from several of the banks while on the Chicago trip. 

“Hearing about their career path and being able to ask them questions on what intrigued them to pursue a career in finance was exactly what we were looking for. In addition to that, we got to see the inside of their state-of-the-art downtown offices, which blew my mind away,” said Duff.

"These trips are building connections that lead to recruiting relationships between the high-level employers and IWU students pursuing finance careers, with students already getting internships and full-time positions at such firms due to unique skills and training they bring to their employers," said Professor Munenzon.

He added that IWU finance graduates stand out to employers due to their “exposure to fields and perspectives outside of finance” from a liberal arts education, as well as their access to The Greg Yess '82 Bloomberg Finance Lab.

“Bloomberg-based training provides unique, experiential, state-of-the-art finance learning. Bloomberg Terminals are used by

top investment and financial institutions to analyze, research, trade and invest in markets around the world. Very few universities have a Bloomberg Lab because of the expense involved, though they are invaluable for real-life industry knowledge,” said Professor Munenzon.

Klaudia Wyszynski '23, co-founder of the Women in Finance RSO, said it was a fulfilling experience to speak with leaders in the reputable finance companies — and she hopes to use those connections to expand her professional network.  

She is also eager to see campus groups collaborate more often on shared interests and passions.

“I hope both RSOs continue to work together to strengthen their relationship, as I know they both offer extraordinary experiences to their members,” said Wyszynski, finance major. 

By Maria Harmon '23