Pre-Wall Street Students Visit Investment Firms in NYC

This summer, students in the Pre-Wall Street Career Track (PWSCT) program experienced work and life in New York City as they visited leading investment firms and immersed themselves in the fast-paced world of finance in the Big Apple.

Started in 2018, PWSCT is a four-year program designed to provide targeted academic and career preparation for first-year students interested in pursuing careers in financial services. To date, 150 students have completed the program and have advanced to work at top banks including Barclays, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Jefferies, Morgan Stanley, Fifth Third, Wells Fargo, Houlihan Lokey and more.

“Through our program, students have a unique opportunity to learn more about the various career paths in the world of finance,” said Professor of the Practice and program Faculty Director Marty Malloy. “Our summer trek was an excellent opportunity for students to get a feel for life in one of the world’s largest financial centers.”

Participants received professional insight from Wake Forest alumni and supporters on what it takes to prepare for success in their desired careers. The trip included visits to several major financial institutions, including Barclays, Aquiline Partners, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Houlihan Lokey.

“It’s been really interesting getting to see different firms and getting to know more about the different sectors and areas you can go into,” said Katie Mikulec.

Mikulec said she enjoyed the companionship of the group and the opportunity to explore New York City and envision living and working there. She also noted how she appreciated the chance to connect with alumni.

“Talking to Wake graduates has been really nice. Some were not much older than us and were just in our shoes,” she said.

Although Mikulec did not have much business knowledge before joining the program, she’s glad she applied and appreciates the guidance from faculty members.

“Professor Marty Malloy was really helpful with teaching some of the terms and financial definitions we need to know to be successful during our trip.”

Pre-Wall Street Career Track students will continue their participation in the program with weekly sessions on career development and finance topics, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities. For more information about the program, please visit the Pre‐Wall Street Career Track website.

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