About Sumit
Previous Degree: BS in Finance
Previous University: University of Rajasthan
Q: Tell us about your background.
A: My first job was at a business consulting startup. Seven months in, I discovered a growing passion for financial analysis and transitioned into a financial analyst role at a mid-level company. There, I gained experience in discounted cash flow (DCF) modeling, valuation, and corporate accounting. Realizing I wanted to deepen my expertise in investments and risk management, I decided to pursue a master's in finance.
Q: What led you to choose D'Amore-McKim for your MS in Quantitative Finance?
A: Coursework was my top priority. I wanted to dive deep into high-level finance topics like investments, portfolio construction, data analytics, taxation, and fixed income, and D'Amore-McKim offered exactly that. I also valued Northeastern's strong global alumni network to help me establish connections in a new country.
What truly set D'Amore-McKim apart for me was experiential learning, particularly through the 360 Huntington Fund and the graduate co-op. Getting experience in a real Mutual fund and gaining professional work experience sounded amazing, and once I discovered these, I knew this was the perfect program for me.
Q: What were your title and responsibilities during your graduate co-op?
A: I worked as a Financial Analyst at FM Global, a Rhode Island-based insurance company specializing in loss prevention. During my summer in Providence, I prepared month-end and quarterly reports, validated them, and analyzed company expenses to spot discrepancies.
I also worked on several ad hoc projects including reducing software costs which resulted in savings of $1 million. I also evaluated potential re-insurance partners to assess their financial stability and creditworthiness. Lastly, I worked on Power BI dashboards to highlight key metrics for senior executives.
This graduate co-op strengthened my interest in financial analysis and risk management, confirming my career choice.
Q: What was your title and experience with the 360 Huntington Fund?
A: I joined the 360 Huntington Fund as an Equity Analyst where I conducted fundamental analysis, reviewed financial statements, and performed market research on companies to pitch investment ideas to fund managers.
One of my contributions was pitching Intuit, which was added to the portfolio and delivered a 17% profit. This experience refined my valuation techniques and improved my Excel, presentation, and teamwork skills. The hands-on approach to real-world investments and the collaborative nature of the fund helped me develop both technical and interpersonal skills, shaping my approach to finance and boosting my confidence in equity research.
Q: What advice would you share with future students?
A: Take full advantage of Northeastern's resources, because many students overlook them. The 360 Huntington Fund is a great hands-on learning experience. You have free access to Bloomberg terminals, NetAdvantage, and subscriptions to Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Economic Times. Start networking from day one. Building connections early can open doors to opportunities you might not expect.
