How to Get Involved as a SMF Student

After getting settled into my core SMF program studies, I began to wonder how I could make even more out of my experience at OSU. I was happy to discover that OSU has dozens of organizations and experiences catered towards grad students interested in finance and that every student should be able to find niches that cater towards their goals of an engaging college life and preparing themselves for their careers. Below I’ve gathered a list of the top organizations and opportunities I believe a SMF student would be interested in and benefit from.

Case Competition Organization

This organization provides some of the most promising opportunities to build technical finance and presentation skills. Members act as a part of a team to make recommendations concerning valuation, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and other business operations. To prepare for competitions, students train their skills in mastering core financial concepts, building financial models, and automating workflows along with the interpersonal skills that come from brainstorming and problem solving with a team. Last year, the organization attended competitions in Cleveland and Washington DC, so it also offers opportunities for travel that most other organizations cannot provide. I wish this year’s members luck while navigating this challenging yet rewarding experience.

SMF Council

This organization stands out as a great opportunity to network with classmates and faculty. Council members are elected by the students around late September and act as liaisons between the SMF program and faculty, having the opportunity to represent student interests throughout several meetings with Graduate Programs staff throughout the proceeding year. Another highlight of this organization is that members work to coordinate events where SMF students get to know each other like get-togethers for the second-year students to introduce themselves and talk about their experiences with first years. They also coordinate events with other graduate programs, including a Friendsgiving potluck hosted last year. I look forward to attending future events hosted by the council.

Student Investment Management Program

This opportunity is one of the best ways SMF students can get hands-on experience with investment management as a student. Students that take this class serve as equity managers to the Student Managed Funds, a portfolio worth over $10 million. Each student is assigned a stock to evaluate throughout the semester and will create a report recommending to buy, hold or sell. I am particularly interested in learning about investments during my time in this program, so I hope I have the opportunity to participate in this program in the Spring.

All of these organizations offer enlightening opportunities to graduate students interested in finance, and there are many more to discover though attending club fairs, talking with faculty members and students, and looking at the Office of Student Life website to see what aligns with their interests. I am still discovering opportunities and have enjoyed the process of learning about all that OSU has to offer.