Q: What is your background?
A: My interest in finance developed gradually through school and work experience. I spent a lot of time working in the service industry growing up, and being around businesses every day made me curious about the decisions happening behind the scenes, especially around investing, growth, and long-term value.
During college, that interest became more focused. I found myself drawn to financial analysis and began exploring areas such as hospitality investing and real estate. At the same time, I realized I really enjoyed the analytical side of finance, especially the problem-solving aspect. Quantitative finance appealed to me because it combined those interests and offered the opportunity to build more specialized technical skills.
Q: Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim?
A: Once I decided to pursue quantitative finance, D'Amore-McKim felt like a natural fit. The school has a strong reputation in Boston's financial community, and their extensive network made it even more appealing. I was also drawn to the MS in Quantitative Finance program because it combines finance, statistics, coding, and analytics in a way that I didn't see at many other schools.
Quantitative finance is a specialized field that isn't offered at many universities, so the program felt like a unique opportunity to build technical skills that are directly applicable to the industry. I also liked that the program emphasizes practical experience and exposure to tools and concepts that many professionals don't encounter until later in their quantitative finance careers. The opportunity to gain hands-on investment experience through the 360 Huntington Fund was also a major draw.
Q: How has the 360 Huntington Fund prepared you for a career in investment management?
A: I joined the 360 Huntington Fund as an equity analyst during my first semester, where I conducted company research, built valuation models, and presented investment recommendations. The following semester, I became a sector manager, mentoring analyst teams and helping students develop their research and modeling skills. This summer, I was selected as managing director, where I help oversee the fund's investment strategy, portfolio decisions, and student curriculum.
The fund has given me hands-on experience that closely mirrors a professional investment environment. Managing real capital, evaluating investment opportunities, and taking on increasing leadership responsibilities have helped me develop both the technical and leadership skills needed for a career in investment management. It's also been one of the strongest talking points in interviews because it demonstrates real-world investing experience, not just classroom knowledge.
Q: How has the program combined coursework and real-world application?
A: The MS in Quantitative Finance program has been very hands-on, especially through experiences like the 360 Huntington Fund. A big part of that experience is using industry-standard tools and applying classroom concepts to real investment decisions. It makes the learning feel much closer to how things operate in portfolio management and equity research.
Access to Bloomberg terminals has been another major advantage. We use Bloomberg regularly to research companies, pull market data, and support investment decisions using the same platform that's widely used across the finance industry. Most students don't have the opportunity to gain that level of hands-on experience before entering the workforce, so graduating already familiar with Bloomberg gives you a strong foundation and a real advantage as you begin your career.
Q: How will your degree help you achieve your goals?
A: My long-term goal is to work in portfolio management and portfolio construction. Those areas interest me because they combine analytical thinking, market research, and decision-making. While portfolio management is not typically an entry-level role, I'm building the technical skills and hands-on experience needed to position myself for that path.
The MS in Quantitative Finance program has strengthened my foundation in finance, statistics, and quantitative analysis while giving me opportunities to apply those concepts in real-world settings. Through experiences like the 360 Huntington Fund, I've been able to put classroom learning into practice by making real investment decisions, helping me build both the technical skills and confidence needed for a career in investment management.
Q: What advice would you share with future students?
A: Get involved early and take full advantage of everything the program offers. That includes applying to the 360 Huntington Fund, student organizations, networking events, and building relationships with faculty. The students who get the most out of the experience are those who actively engage rather than wait for opportunities.
The more you lean into those opportunities, the more prepared you'll be when you step into your career.
The D'Amore-McKim MS in Quantitative Finance program isn't just about academics. It's about building a network, gaining leadership experience, and preparing for every aspect of your career.
