Jason Russell is a firm believer in placing classroom skills in the context of the real world, and in giving students the opportunity to make connections in business fields that may help in a job search upon graduation. With both of these goals in mind, the rising senior from Oscar Company and president of the Finance and Investment Club worked to organize a trip for 10 cadets – five juniors and five seniors – and advisor Prof. Lawrence McKay to visit New York City for what was deemed “Wall Street Week.”
“The purpose of the trip was to give a select group of Citadel students an opportunity to have an inside look at the vast job opportunities within New York City,” said Russell. “Many of the students had never visited NYC, and we felt it was impossible to really understand the financial markets without visiting them first-hand.”
Dr. Earl Walker, Dean of The Citadel School of Business Administration, said that the trip was something the school has dreamed of for a while. “We very much wanted to get our cadets and our MBA students to this remarkable cultural and financial center,” he said.
The group departed Charleston on the evening of April 5, and beginning the following morning, the cadets were immersed in a whirlwind visit to one of the world's centers of business. Over the next two days they visited Merrill Lynch, the New York Stock Exchange, Pali Capital, Bradley Woods, Pfizer, Bank of America and Bloomburg. Many of these visits were arranged by contacting alumni of The Citadel who reside in the city.
“Our visits to the various firms in New York permitted us an inside look at the world’s financial center,” said Russell. “The speed of business was amazing. I love a high-paced, high-stress lifestyle, and New York certainly offered it to those willing to take it. By visiting over ten firms in the course of two days, I was able to learn more about each sector of finance and make some definitive career decisions.”
“Finally, I was able to see how the things I have learned in the classroom are applied in a work environment. I found my accounting classes to be especially helpful in understanding the ‘lingo’ of the investment world. The visit also highlighted the things that I needed to learn in order to be successful, many of which are never taught in a classroom.”
But the trip was not simply an experience in learning about the mechanics of the city. It was a hands-on effort in planning and organizing for some of the students involved. Russell said he learned how to put together a large-scale, expensive endeavor under time constraints. Club Vice-President Mauro Bria, Treasurer Tripp Cone, and James Purgason were essential in fundraising for the trip. The cost was paid for by contributions from local alumni and businesses.
Prof. McKay said that the students are to be commended for their hard work. They had laid the framework of the trip, raised much of the funds for travel, and had arranged all of the schedules. “It was very obvious that they had put in a great deal of time,” he said.
“It was a tremendous opportunity for the cadets that went to meet a diverse group of very successful business people in New York City,” McKay said. “About half were alumni, half were not, and I think it opened up so many eyes that it was very, very positive.”
The end result, in addition to enhancing the cadets’ knowledge of the fast-paced business world, came in the form of networking, internship and employment opportunities. Russell and club member Nick Leone both earned internships in NYC this summer. Bria has also been offered a job opportunity with a hedge fund manager.
“We would never have received these opportunities without taking some initiative and putting together such a life-changing trip,” Russell said. “I hope that we will continue this in the future to help students reach out beyond the classroom.”
“Thanks to the help of alumni, Wes Jones and Larry McKay, we have realized that dream,” said Dean Walker. “We are hopeful that we can continue these trips on a yearly basis because they are truly remarkable opportunities to be exposed to the fast pace, the intellectual creativity, and the wonders that are New York City.”
