Whitman is Accelerating My Future in Finance

Although I’m a Computer Science major, I’ve always been interested in finance, consulting and the fintech industry. A classmate at Whitman first told me about this amazing opportunity called the Finance Accelerator Program that helps students explore different career paths in finance. At Whitman, students have opportunities to explore, experiment and take a step in various interests. This program is a fun way to do so!

The program is led by staff in Whitman’s Career and Community Engagement Center. You have to apply to the program and commit to the required weekly meetings. In these sessions, we have career panels with successful Whittie alumni who work in big finance firms, resume preparation and tips on breaking into the industry led by recruiters or talent acquisition personnel. These sessions are a big help, especially when it comes to learning about the types of roles available in top companies. They even break down the responsibilities of the various positions so we can see which path we’d be interested in.

A major highlight of the program is a weekend workshop dedicated to earning the Training the Street certification. Through this, I learned about capital markets and gained a grasp of concepts that I had never heard of before. I also got a general understanding and hands-on experience working with accounting and business reports, such as financial modeling and corporate valuation. 

Another exciting part of the program is the trip to visit finance firms in Seattle! Students are split into groups to work on an investment pitch and fundraising presentations while being mentored by professionals in the field. We are given real-life scenarios to get experience making decisions regarding fund allocations and investment strategies. This year, we partnered with experts from Pitchbook, Trilogy and Goldman Sachs. We also toured their offices, networked with other professionals and presented our work to the firm. We even had extra time to visit Fulcrum Capital and Boston Consulting Group.

My favorite part was the networking opportunities. I got a chance to speak directly with recruiters about what they look for when reviewing internship candidates. I also met successful Whittie alums who shared how their time at Whitman launched their careers. They gave me advice on how to climb to the top of the corporate ladder. I’m incredibly grateful that they took time out of their busy schedules to support us in our career development.

Overall, I would say Whitman’s Finance Accelerator Program is an excellent opportunity for students to get exposure to valuable career insights, which is super helpful when exploring career options and planning for life after Whitman. The engaging conversations, practical knowledge and networking opportunities only add to the amazing education Whitman offers.

Pure Buahom ’27 (he/him) is a Computer Science major from Bangkok, Thailand. Check out more about the Finance Accelerator program and his trip to Seattle on the OurWhitman Instagram page.