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Like many other Chinese-Americans, my parents immigrated from a rural town in China to pursue a better life for themselves and their children in America. As a kid, I was fortunate enough to grow up in a supportive and stable household, which is all I can really ask for. My parents introduced me to various hobbies and interests such as soccer, which played an important role in my life and became a large part of my identity up until college. In middle school, my dad also introduced me to the stock market, helping me place my first trade, which was Walt Disney Co. Around this time, I also began developing my own interests in business, which originally stemmed from my attachment to the TV show Shark Tank. My dad is a software engineer and my mom is a stay-at-home mom, so aside from their stock portfolio, they were just as foreign to these topics as I was. As a result, I had to look for my own opportunities and learn from my experiences. During this process, I took away invaluable lessons such as the importance of soft skills. For example, when I first started my food rescue non-profit in high school, I was rejected by more than 50 restaurants/grocery stores. After refining my pitch and persisting past the rejections, I was able to secure my first partnership. With my food rescue initiative, a 4.5 GPA, and a 1520 SAT score, I was able to secure a spot at the University of Southern California.
When I entered college, I wanted to find a direction and figure out what I wanted to do in the future. Through conversations with upperclassmen and recent graduates, I found out about investment banking, which seemed like a great avenue to combine my interest in business with the opportunity to help facilitate change. Since the start of college, I’ve been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA, while also involving myself in clubs such as the Trojan Investing Society and the Global Investment Society. During my first year, I also had the opportunity to gain work experience in M&A as an intern at Vermilion Rock Advisors and Sellside Group LLC. When I heard about Project Wall Street, I thought it would be a great opportunity to help me pursue a career in Investment Banking given my background and alignment with their mission. I look forward to what is ahead of me and the opportunities to learn from and work with those around me.
Ivy Pham is a first-generation student of color who was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2019, her family immigrated to the United States with the hope of providing Ivy and her sisters with a solid education and better opportunities. With her father working abroad in Vietnam and her elder sister attending college far from home, Ivy became the sole English speaker in her family as they reestablished their lives in a new country. This transformative experience at such a young age instilled in her the values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of seizing opportunities. Growing up in Vietnam, Ivy witnessed firsthand the crucial role the financial services industry plays in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life in communities. This experience sparked her passion for finance, motivating her to pursue a career where she can help create financial solutions that empower both individuals and businesses.
Ivy is an active student, inside and outside the classroom. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.3 weighted GPA and scored a 1500 on the SAT. Driven by her passion for business, Ivy founded her high school's first-ever business club and official DECA chapter, leading a team of 10 to represent the school in a statewide business competition for the first time. Her peers recognized her leadership, electing her as President of the National Honor Society, and she also earned a reputation as a record-breaking goalie for the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse team. Ivy’s entrepreneurial spirit was further honed through her participation in LaunchX, a highly competitive entrepreneurship program, where she founded Equart—a platform for inspiring artists. Additionally, she competed in the Diamond Challenge Business Competition, where she created Re-Soap, a nonprofit aimed at recycling and distributing hygienic products from Ho Chi Minh City’s hospitality industry to communities in need, with a strong focus on community involvement. As a result of her accomplishments, Ivy was accepted to Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration with a minor in Real Estate and a concentration in Finance, Real Estate, and Accounting.
At Cornell, Ivy has continued to demonstrate exceptional academic and extracurricular involvement. Her interest in the financial services industry is evident through her participation in some of Cornell’s most prominent business clubs. As a freshman, Ivy served on the Executive Board of Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity, where she completed a comprehensive 10-week New Member Education process that exposed her to industries such as Investment Banking, Consulting, and Real Estate through various case studies. She also serves as a Real Estate Analyst for both the Cornell Real Estate Club and Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate, the only two real estate-focused clubs on campus. Project Wall Street’s commitment to breaking down barriers and making merit the key to success resonates deeply with Ivy, as it mirrors her own journey of perseverance and determination. Coming from a background where opportunities were limited, Ivy understands the importance of access to the right resources and guidance. Through this program, she is eager to deepen her financial expertise, connect with like-minded peers, and build lasting relationships with mentors who share her passion for creating a more inclusive and diverse Wall Street.
Mackenzie Wong grew up in Queens, New York, as the child of hardworking immigrants from Hong Kong. His family faced significant financial challenges, with his parents juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. A pivotal moment in Mackenzie’s life was his mother’s struggle with cancer during his formative years, which deeply influenced his perspective on responsibility and financial security. This experience fueled his interest in entrepreneurship and finance as a means to support his family and others facing similar challenges.
During high school, Mackenzie distinguished himself both academically and as a leader. Graduating with a weighted GPA of 102.3, he earned recognition as a National Merit Finalist and was honored as New York Entrepreneur of the Year. Mackenzie’s leadership extended beyond his studies; he established the Entrepreneurship Club and co-founded the DECA team, initiatives that have continued to thrive and inspire future students.
Now a student at Cornell University’s Dyson School of Business, Mackenzie is double majoring in Finance and Healthcare Policy, maintaining a 3.9 GPA. His passion for finance is shown through his active participation in the Cornell Alternative Investment Group and his involvement in external initiatives like Headstart and Recalc.
This past summer, Mackenzie gained practical experience during his internship with PwC's Alternative Investments Group. With his internship experiences, he solidified his interest in Investment Banking. Mackenzie is particularly motivated by Project Wall Street’s commitment to leveling the playing field for students from underrepresented backgrounds. He is eager to collaborate with mentors and peers who are equally dedicated to making a lasting impact in the finance industry.
Growing up in Indonesia, my exposure to finance and investments was limited. I’ve always been vigilant about businesses around me, but never understood the intricacies behind their operations.
I started debating in middle school and, in high school, was selected for the Indonesian National Debate Team due to compete at Worlds. Debating topics on tech and economics made me realize my interest in those very two fields. To me, Wharton seemed like a place where I could find a way to combine these two passions harmoniously.
In my freshman year of college, I was able to find a field that combined these two interests while maintaining a 3.8+ GPA. I joined clubs, notably the Wharton Investment and Trading Group where I’m part of the TMT committee. This further piqued my interest regarding the role of investments in the tech world and allowed me to delve deeper into the technicalities of finance. My college experience allowed me to grow my network as well, which then introduced me to Project Wall Street and solidified my interest in Investment Banking.
This summer, I was able to further navigate the blend of technology and investments by interning at a venture capital firm back in Indonesia to gain an understanding of both Western and Asian investment environments. I hope to combine this experience with insight from Project Wall Street to prepare me for IB recruiting!
Hi. I’m Renita Santhoshkumar and I’m a sophomore at New York University studying finance and data science. I spent most of my childhood in India, but moved to the United States to pursue better educational opportunities. Coming from a country with an entirely different educational system, I initially faced challenges catching up on various concepts. However, with determination, I not only caught up but also excelled in my studies, getting into the Magnet Program for middle school. In middle school, I was particularly drawn to biology, motivated by my grandfather's passing, which sparked my interest in the sciences. However, I soon realized that this field did not fit my qualities. In high school, I shifted my focus to computer science and mathematics, participating in various hackathons and securing first place. My junior year was especially significant as I took part in a research internship in computer science and computational geometry, which resulted in a published paper and conference acceptance. While I valued the professional skills I gained from this experience, it was my participation in DECA competitions that showed my true passion. Developing a startup business plan for the DECA state competition, working tirelessly on our product and revenue model, and ultimately winning first place and qualifying for internationals, solidified my decision to pursue a career in finance, an industry that relies on both quantitative and qualitative qualities. This led me to apply to NYU Stern, and I got accepted into their program with a merit scholarship.
Entering college, I wanted to explore finance, while maintaining my interest in computer science. I joined Stern Business Analytics Club and got accepted into their Insight Team Program where I developed data analysis skills in Python and applied it to my own project, analyzing public bus routes in Baltimore City. I also joined the Investment Analysis Group at my university to start learning foundational concepts in finance. This led me to get my first internship during my spring semester of freshman year, where I worked on sourcing LBO opportunities and conducting due diligence in the industrials sector. I had the opportunity to apply the concepts I learned into a real world context. I started a venture capital internship in my spring semester as well that continued into the summer where I received a hands-on understanding of the investment landscape, specifically in the AI and healthcare sectors. During the summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the Goldman Sachs Virtual Insight Series along with the BNY Freshman Jumpstart Program, where I gained a deeper understanding of finance roles at various firms.
After exploring the industry fully, I was drawn to Investment Banking’s combination of analytics with business/industries as a whole. I am also drawn to the fast paced environment right out of undergrad as it aligns with my value of continuous learning. Being part of a dynamic work stream that keeps me on my toes allows me to challenge myself and gives opportunity for personal growth.
This interest led me to Project Wall Street ("PWS"), where I could interact with like-minded peers and develop my technical knowledge. Additionally, given my background, PWS's mission really resonated with me. I’m excited to be a part of the program and build connections with industry professionals.
My name is Maximaillian Wu (Maxim, or Max, for short), born and raised in Portland, Oregon. I grew up in an immigrant household as the first American-born person in my family. My dad, a high school dropout, started working in a shoe factory at 15 when my grandpa died from heart disease. He eventually came to the U.S. to pursue a better life and economic stability. Soon after, my mom came to the states after my other grandpa died from cancer. He had financially supported her family, so she was forced to seek better economic opportunities. I was immersed in their world growing up – their experiences overcoming educational, economic, and cultural barriers to create a comfortable lifestyle for my sister and I. It even inspired me to pursue my American dream... basketball. College basketball. I had a pretty successful high school career: two state championships as team captain, first team all-state and all-league, even team state records (7 straight state title appearances, 98 consecutive home wins, back-to-back #1 scoring defense in Oregon). While my athletic abilities did garner interest and offers from some Division 3 Programs (namely, MIT, Tufts, and some others), my academic achievements (4.61 GPA, 1540 SAT, Salutatorian), shined a little brighter: I was an early and distinguished admit into the University of Southern California as a Dean’s Merit Scholar (<1% acceptance rate) – with highly-regarded distinctions as an honors students and member of their Global Leadership Program (Top 80 Freshmen). After weighting my options (and some unfavorable roster situations), I decided it was best for my future to forgo my basketball dreams and attend USC to pursue a B.S. in Business Administration through the Marshall School of Business.
Through my first year at USC Marshall as a Business Major with a Minor in A.I. Applications, I maintained a 3.96 GPA, volunteered as a college application mentor with underprivileged high school seniors, and earned another merit-based Barnett Family Scholarship. I also joined many different clubs, including the Trojan Investing Society (“TIS”) and USC Avenues Consulting Group; the latter of which I am an e-board member. Freshman summer, I even had the opportunity to intern in Revenue Operations at a mid-cap SAAS company. I knew I always wanted to do something in business: the financial markets and broader macro-economic field always intrigued me. I lacked direction at first, until I was introduced to Investment Banking through TIS. I soon realized that IB was my next step in life. The perfect blend of business transactions, the competitive environment I missed from basketball, an expedited learning experience, and one of – if not the most – intellectually talent dense environments available to someone right out undergrad. I attribute much of my success in basketball to having strong mentors like my coach and older players to show me the ropes. Given my unorthodox upbringing and lack of exposure to the industry, I knew that I should replicate this for Investment Banking. I sought out mentorship programs across the web, quickly to realize that most of these programs cost money and are run by people who never even worked in the industry. That is, until I found Project Wall Street. At first, I was shocked when I found out that PWS was completely free. I was amazed to discover that Jordan was only a few years removed from IB, and one year removed from Private Equity, not to mention the sheer number of mentors on the PWS team who possess so many years of experience at elite IB and PE firms. PWS is a truly unique non-profit in a world of for-profit programs, and I fully believe in its mission of helping disadvantaged / diverse students achieve their dreams within finance.
Derek Zheng is a first-generation low-income student of color who grew up on Long Island, New York. His parents immigrated from China to the United States to chase the ‘American Dream’ and build a restaurant business to provide for their family. To help his parents run the restaurant, Derek spent many weekends and holidays as an assistant manager, setting him apart from his peers. Watching his parents overcome countless obstacles to achieve their dreams has motivated Derek to embrace the world with a similar mindset. His interest in business grew significantly from this transformative experience that taught him perseverance, dedication, and patience.
In the classroom, Derek’s academic achievements were laudatory. He was named Salutatorian (ranked 2 out of 376), had a 103.2 weighted GPA, and scored a 1520 SAT. Derek served as the Varsity Basketball Captain, Math Team President, Senior Class Vice President, and National Honor Society Vice President. He was recognized as a 3x Academic All-County player by Suffolk County basketball coaches, National Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and New York State Academic Excellence Scholar. Most importantly, Derek founded the Medical Professionals Club, an organization that provided 70+ students with a thorough comprehension of the medical field. As a result, Derek earned a full-tuition scholarship as a William R. Berkley Achievement Scholar (1 of 15 selected from 17,000+ applicants) at New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.
At NYU Stern, Derek has demonstrated exceptional academic and extracurricular involvement. He made the Dean’s List with a 3.7 GPA while pursuing a double major in Finance and Computer Science with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. His interest in the financial services industry is evident through his participation in school clubs. As part of the Business Analytics Club and Stern Real Estate Group mentorship programs, Derek has been exposed to the intersection between business and technology and the fundamentals of the real estate industry, respectively. He’s also a proud member of Beta Alpha Psi and Proud to Be First. Derek also gained valuable work experience this past summer. As a Finance Intern at Jasco Philanthropies, he was in charge of synthesizing equity research reports, leading pitch deck presentations for startups and film investments, and researching emerging market trends. At Vermilion Rock Advisors, he sourced acquisition prospects and researched lower middle market industrial sectors. Outside of school,
Derek enjoys pickup basketball, watching sports with friends, sunrises and sunsets, and exploring Thai restaurants in NYC. After speaking with upperclassmen and alumni at NYU and reflecting on previous experiences, Derek realized that a career in Investment Banking would best align with his goals of making an impact on companies, working in a fast-paced team environment, and learning continuously through it all. Project Wall Street’s mission to provide mentorship and community for students coming from under-resourced backgrounds resonates deeply with Derek because it mirrors his own journey and aspirations. Through this program, Derek aims to improve his technical knowledge, expand his network, and make meaningful relationships with his mentors and cohort members.
I was born in Queens, New York, to first-generation, low-income parents. Growing up in a crowded household with over 15 family members was a unique experience. When I was five, my parents moved us to a modest home in Jamaica, Queens. My life changed dramatically when I was seven, with Hurricane Sandy hitting and my father losing his job. To support our family, he started driving a taxi and would often share stories about the businessmen he drove, who were able to support their families through careers in finance. These stories ignited my own desire to pursue a career in finance.
In high school, I kept a 4.0 GPA and participated in Morgan Stanley’s Jumpstart Scholars program during my senior year. This program gave me a formal introduction to Investment Banking and helped me build relationships with professionals in the field, solidifying my determination to pursue this career going forward.
After graduating high school, I decided to continue my studies at CUNY Baruch College, thanks to the full-ride scholarship I received. I currently maintain a 3.9 GPA, am part of the honors program, and am actively involved in several finance-related campus clubs. In addition, I’ve also completed multiple internships, working as a Private Equity Summer Analyst at 1585 Healthcare, an Equity Research Spring Analyst at Westlake Securities, and a Venture Capital Summer Analyst at Borex Capital. I've also been involved with a few fellowships, one of which through Centerbridge Partners. Outside of academics and professional pursuits, I love spending time in nature, volunteering in my community, and traveling.
My journey aligns closely with Project Wall Street’s mission to break down barriers based on merit and drive. Growing up in a low-income household with limited industry connections, I faced significant challenges. Despite this, my determination and the inspiration from my father’s stories motivated me to excel academically and seek opportunities in finance. Project Wall Street’s commitment to leveling the playing field for individuals from diverse backgrounds resonates with my own experiences, as it supports those who, like me, have the drive and merit to succeed - despite the obstacles.
Hi, my name is Ryan, and I consider myself a modern-day nomad. Growing up, I moved frequently—from California to India to Singapore—before returning to California for my junior and senior years of high school. These experiences allowed me to immerse myself in diverse cultures and develop a global perspective. When I discovered Project Wall Street (PWS), I was immediately drawn to its mission of breaking down barriers in finance and was fortunate to be accepted as a Fellow.
In high school, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a perfect GPA and 1540 SAT, which paved the way for my next adventure at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. As a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, I was eager to explore my academic and career interests. Initially uncertain about pursuing Investment Banking, I joined the Vanderbilt Investment Club and Financial Modeling Club. My passion for finance grew as I engaged in these organizations, leading to my first internship at Waterbrook Advisors as an Investment Banking Analyst in the spring of 2024. This experience solidified my interest in the field, and I went on to secure a summer internship at Endurance Search as a Private Equity Intern. There, I’ve been involved in building waterfall models to analyze unrealized gains in the fund’s portfolio.
As I build my career, I'm thankful for Project Wall Street's support along the way!
From leading the Kansas DECA organization to starting a cookie company during the pandemic, Joy has always been drawn to business. She enjoyed playing on the varsity tennis team at state and presenting business solutions at FBLA Nationals. What she found most exciting about her high school experience was mentoring underclassmen and helping others achieve their goals. Joy received a 4.0 GPA and 34 ACT score, placing her in the top 10 at her high school. When deciding her college, she wanted a unique experience with a tight-knit community, and Dartmouth exceeded her expectations.
At Dartmouth, Joy wanted to continue the advisory role and discovered Investment Banking, combining her interest in M&A advisory with her love for intense environments. Although the role was a more male-dominated field, Joy pursued an internship with a private equity firm and learned the basics of financial accounting; she was evaluating business model fit for target acquisitions in behavioral & tax services industries with EBITDA > $1.5 million. After realizing that she truly enjoyed the field, she began searching for more exposure and experiences within the industry. Over the summer, Joy worked under a professor to create a curriculum on AI/Entrepreneurship and assisted in developing an AI Chatbot for over 30 students. Using the knowledge of AI, Joy is also working with a venture capital firm that helps start-ups with $20k-$25k in pre-seed to seed level companies, targeting underrepresented founders. She also performed due diligence, studied markets, and crafted deal terms with established funds and investors. Her growing interest throughout these experiences led her to apply for Project Wall Street, which provides exceptional mentorship for students with a disadvantaged background. Joy wanted to meet a cohort of like-minded students interested in Investment Banking and meet incredible mentors who have gone through the recruitment process themselves.
Currently, Joy is working at a sell-side M&A firm focused on healthcare, while continuing to learn about the Investment Banking industry.
Hi! My name is Saniya Sinkar and I’m originally from Short Hills, NJ. Growing up, I knew a few people who worked in high finance, including my dad and some of our family friends. However, I noticed that they were all men, which made the field feel intimidating and discouraged me from exploring it earlier. I went to an extremely competitive high school, which conditioned me to be a hard worker. I scored a 36 on my ACT, ranked in the top 10% of my class, and was thrilled to be accepted into the University of Michigan. At that point, I was set on pursuing a career in consulting.
During my freshman year at Michigan, I maintained a 3.96 GPA while pursuing a dual degree in computer science and business administration. Through my business fraternity, Phi Chi Theta, I met several women who were excelling in the Investment Banking industry. They helped me learn more about what finance truly entails, and I was drawn to the idea of valuing companies and working on multi-million or billion-dollar deals in a fast-paced environment. This summer, I have been interning at BWG Strategy, which is a primary research platform for buy-side investors. Through this experience, I've solidified my desire to pursue finance and gained insight into what goes into valuing stocks, including analyzing their financial performance and market position. When I learned about PWS, I was completely inspired by their mission to break the barriers for underrepresented groups to enter the finance industry. I love that PWS supplies its fellows with mentors and support to ensure that they are in the best possible position for recruiting.
Coming from a middle-class background and with my parents traveling from the Philippines to the United States for opportunities for our family, I was taught the value of hard work and persistence. They worked hard to put my siblings and me in the best position possible; however, when I became interested in finance and learned more about the industry – I realized something. You can't succeed in finance by just working hard in school, there is so much more to it than that. I had a 4.16 weighted GPA, qualified for the national competition for DECA my senior year by getting 4th in Illinois in my team's bracket, was captain and sectional qualifier for my school's tennis team, and received the Presidential Scholarship from DePaul for my high academic standing. Upon receiving this scholarship, knowing that I wanted to stay close to home to save money, and learning more about their business program, I decided DePaul University would be my next step.
I wanted to start college by joining business-related clubs and keeping a high GPA. So, I rushed Delta Sigma Pi, a business fraternity. Currently, I'm the VP of Scholarships and Awards within my chapter: I find scholarships for my peers to potentially go to school for little to no money and award them for their hard work within the classroom. I also had the opportunity to speak in the Honors Convocation, an awards ceremony for the top 5% of students in each class in the business school. In addition, I gave out an award on behalf of my fraternity and was given an award for my 4.0 GPA. Outside of school, I'm in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars due to my GPA standing, where I have the chance to receive scholarships and guidance for my career path.
Throughout my freshman year, I found my interest in IB. I wanted to find a career path in which I could use my client-facing and teamwork skills and my developing business knowledge. I also wanted a career where I could learn a lot about a business, have a hands-on impact on a project, and work in a mentally stimulating environment to keep me working. All these factors led to me being interested in IB. However, my high academic standing could only take me so far, so I wanted to find assistance and professionals that I could learn from to understand IB and the finance industry better. I was fortunate enough to come across Jordan and Project Wall Street on social media and wanted the opportunity to learn from him and his team to achieve my goal. Something that motivated me to apply for the Fellowship was their message: it truly resonated with my background. Project Wall Street wants to help high-achieving undergraduates succeed in Investment Banking and put them in the best position possible. They don't focus on their background and how they grew up, which gives me even more confidence to pursue this difficult career. I'm also a big fan of the content Jordan was putting out. I'm learning concepts that are very foreign to me from him and he explains them incredibly well. I'm excited about the road ahead with the Project Wall Street team and with my peers within the Fellowship!
I am from Atlanta, Georgia, ahd grew up in an Ethiopian household where my father's transportation business ignited my passion for business from an early age. Throughout high school, I embraced various business ventures and academic challenges. I graduated with a 4.7 GPA as well as Salutatorian for my graduating class. I am also a proud alumni of the C5 Georgia Youth Foundation, a prestigious 5-year leadership development program designed to empower under-resourced youth through experiential learning and life skills development.
Currently, I am a student at Northwestern University, where I am honored to be on a full-ride scholarship. I am actively involved on campus as the treasurer of the Black Student Union and a member of the Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association. In addition to my campus activities, I intern at Glass Window Entertainment, a music label in Atlanta, where I serve as a financial manager and assistant. Looking ahead, I will be joining Roark Capital as a Fellow, where I will receive specialized training from banking and private equity professionals.
My decision to pursue Project Wall Street was driven by its mission to enhance financial accessibility for minority and underserved communities—a cause that resonates deeply with my own experiences navigating financial challenges in college.
Growing up, I was a very competitive athlete, playing multiple sports including soccer, basketball, tennis, and Taekwondo. Ultimately, I narrowed my two best sports being a varsity soccer player for 3 years, and captain for 1 year, and obtaining my 4th degree black belt in Taekwondo after 13 years. I also had a very strong passion for volunteer work, starting a program called Music for Seniors, starting investing clubs in high school, and coaching in both soccer and Taekwondo. Pursuing my interests throughout the years helped me develop a work ethic and desire to learn that most kids did not have. Fast forward to college, I entered Cornell as an undecided major, exploring different interests in courses, classes, and clubs my first semester. During my second semester however, I learned more about finance and the countless opportunities within this field especially Investment Banking as a career path. So, I participated in on-campus events, took more courses within the realm of finance, recruited into highly selective clubs, and finally applied to the business school with a concentration in finance. I applied to the Nolan School of Hotel Administration because I want to fully grasp and learn how a business or company operates in order to be able to value that business or company. I get to learn the nitty gritty details and ins and outs which excites me. I've also managed to find the time to be a starter on the club team (ranked 5th in the nation) and be in a fraternity. Since then, I interned at MBS Asset Management, LLC as a corporate finance intern, and I’ve really enjoyed the work.
My name is Justin Nguyen, I grew up in San Diego and am now studying Public Policy and Business finance at USC. My whole life, I’ve been pushed towards a career in STEM or Health, simply because everyone around me growing up were engineers, computer scientists, or doctors. However, I was born an entrepreneur. And ever since I was a kid, my heart has been set on entering the business world.
I worked as hard as I could in high school to eventually reach my dream of entering the business world, graduating with a 4.4 GPA and a 1510 SAT. Because of its highly regarded academics and location in SoCal, I ended up at USC on 3 different scholarships, the Town & Gown Scholarship, SCion Scholarship, and the University Scholarship.
Going into college, I thought the way I was going to enter the business world was by doing strategy consulting in the public sector. During my first semester of freshman year, I even served on the e-board for a consulting club at USC. However, it wasn’t until this past summer that I interned at a VC firm that I found my passion for finance. At Sunstone Management, a unique VC firm that focuses on private public partnerships, I worked with client cities to develop economic development plans focused on increasing the amount of startups in each city. Through this experience, I found myself more and more curious about the complex financial transactions and valuation methods involved in the deal making process. I wanted to work on the execution of large-scale deals, which led me to explore investment banking. I then interned at Vermilion Rock Advisors, a boutique investment bank in Utah, where I was introduced to what processes involved in investment banking really looked like. I worked on due diligence, sourced 35 potential client companies each week, and even practiced financial modeling.
Entering my sophomore year, I heard about Project Wall Street’s mission, and thought it would be a great source of support for my goal of achieving a career in finance, something that I’ve never had access to before. With the guidance of Jordan and the other mentors at Project Wall Street, I hope to achieve my dream of entering investment banking full time on the west coast.
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