Youngstown Daily Legal News

Students prepare for investment banking careers with OSU's Fisher Futures

JESSICA SHAMBAUGH
Special to the Legal News
Published: August 28, 2014

Investment banking is by nature a competitive field, so it may come as no surprise that those in the industry start experiencing the thrill of competition long before they step foot on Wall Street.

At Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, students vie for a place in the Fisher Futures investment banking program.

The experience begins in the spring semester of a student’s sophomore year and continues until they graduate.

Through the program, students undergo a total of 14 weeks of formal, in-class learning and also participate in rigorous internships that help prepare them for the a career in investment banking.

Those experiences make the program an enticing option for those looking to find their fit on Wall Street, but a limited number of openings makes it a tough dream to achieve.

Fisher Futures spokesman Gregg Silver said the competition to earn a spot in the program is an intense one that begins almost as soon as students step foot on campus.

“We seek students that not only have been high achievers at Fisher, but also those who have done their initial homework on the industry and are highly motivated to pursue jobs in this highly competitive industry,” he said.

Students are encouraged to maintain a high GPA and create a schedule that will give them freedom to participate in internships while still graduating on time.

In exchange for completing all of that, they’re promised trips to New York and Chicago where they’ll network with those already involved in investment banking, training in financial modeling with Wall Street Prep and classes to prepare them for interviews and eventual internships.

Silver said the program starts by teaching students about the various career options in the banking sector and from there helps them create their story and build a professional network.

During 14 weeks of classes, the students learn technical skills for future roles as interns and financial analysts and soft skills to help them get a foot in the door.

“Overall, the program educates students on the industry, prepares them for the internship search, and highlights expectations that will enable them to be successful on the job,” Silver said.

After the courses conclude, Silver said he encourages students to meet regularly with instructors in a one-on-one setting to tailor development plans and craft unique strategies for each person individually.

The students are required to complete an internship after their junior year to help them better prepare for a career in their field, which Silver said tends to vary.

“Our students accept roles in various types of investment banking firms and roles, ranging from bulge brackets to regionals to boutiques. In terms of roles, they accept positions in mergers and acquisitions, sales and trading, public finance and equity search,” he said.

While Fisher seems to be on track now in creating the next generation of investment bankers, Silver said its trying to do more to broaden the field.

Historically, investment banking has been viewed as a male-dominated industry.

That presumption is further supported by Fisher Future’s investment banking program roster, which includes only a couple of women compared to dozens of men.

But, Silver said, the college is doing what it can to change that trend.

“At Fisher, we welcomed a very successful female managing director at a regional investment bank to campus last year to share her experiences to both men and women. The key is providing opportunities for female students to see successful women in the industry and use it to envision themselves in a similar role,” he said.

Outside of the college, he said the rest of the industry is also trying to motivate more women to get involved.

“In recent years, investment banks have been making a concerted effort to encourage women to enter investment banking by hosting conferences for female students and providing them opportunities to hear from and meet successful women investment bankers,” Silver said.

He added that Fisher Futures encourages any qualified student to apply for its programs and more information can be found on the college’s website at www.fisher.osu.edu.

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