Q: Tell us about your background.
A: I've always enjoyed math and problem-solving, which initially drew me to electrical engineering. As I moved through my undergraduate studies, though, I became interested in how I could apply those skills beyond a traditional engineering career. A corporate finance course introduced me to a field that remained highly analytical yet allowed me to use math and programming in a different way.
By my senior year, I was looking for a path that would build on my technical background while expanding my career options. Quantitative finance felt like the right choice because it brought together the areas I was most interested in: finance, mathematics, and programming.
Q: Why did you choose the MS in Quantitative Finance program at D'Amore-McKim?
A: D'Amore-McKim stood out to me because of Northeastern's emphasis on experiential learning. I heard of how great Northeastern's co-op program was, so I knew I wanted opportunities to gain practical experience while earning my degree.
I also wanted to be in Boston, where I could be close to the finance industry and build my professional network. The combination of experiential learning and location made D'Amore-McKim's MS in Quantitative Finance program a strong fit for what I wanted from graduate school.
Q: Which courses have had the greatest impact on you?
A: Some of my favorite courses have been Fundamentals of Financial Markets and Quantitative Portfolio Management because they showed me how mathematics and programming can be applied to financial markets and investment decisions.
I enjoyed the Quantitative Portfolio Management course so much that a group of classmates and I wanted to take what we were learning even further. We reached out to our professor about offering another quantitative finance elective called Advanced Topics in Finance, and he worked with us to get the new course approved. Now, I'm part of the first class taking it.
I've always been someone who wants to keep building on what I'm learning, so the experiential learning opportunities at D'Amore-McKim were a natural fit for me. The Community Impact Initiative gave me a chance to take those skills beyond the classroom and put them to work on a real-world challenge.
Q: Tell us about your Community Impact Initiative experience.
A: I wanted to gain practical experience over the summer, and the Community Impact Initiative gave me that opportunity. I worked with the Community Development Partnership, a nonprofit on Cape Cod that supports local small businesses through business planning, microloan programs, and other resources. I felt connected to its mission because I grew up in Massachusetts and had spent time working on Cape Cod.
One of my projects involved researching how community development organizations across the country promoted their loan programs and identifying approaches the Community Development Partnership could consider. I also researched newly established businesses and sole proprietors on the Outer Cape and created a list for future outreach.
The Community Impact Initiative gave me the opportunity to work on real needs for a nonprofit, from identifying ways to strengthen its loan program to developing an outreach list for local businesses. It was rewarding to know the team planned to put my work into action.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I'm exploring opportunities as a quant, securities analyst, or electrical engineering. These are all jobs where I can draw on the skills I've developed in both quantitative finance and engineering. The MS in Quantitative Finance has given me another way to apply my background in math, programming, and problem-solving while building my knowledge of financial markets.
Q: What advice would you give to future MS in Quantitative Finance students?
A: Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can outside the classroom. Look into co-ops, connect with professors about research, pay attention when career advisors share internships or projects, and explore experiences like the Community Impact Initiative and 360 Huntington Fund.
There are many ways to gain experience at D'Amore-McKim, but you have to be proactive in pursuing them. Some of my most valuable experiences came from seeking out opportunities, whether that meant getting involved in the Community Impact Initiative or asking a professor about taking our quantitative finance coursework further.
