Turning athletic discipline into financial expertise

Q: What is your background? 

A: Growing up with a father who is a financial advisor, I was surrounded by investing and equities from an early age. I've always known I wanted a career in finance, and I'm passionate about competing as a Division I Track and Field athlete. After graduating with my bachelor's, I had some remaining athletic eligibility and wanted to continue competing while building advanced finance skills, which led me to Northeastern.  

Q: What made you decide to pursue your MS in Finance at D'Amore-McKim? 

A: I've always learned best by rolling up my sleeves and getting hands-on experience. As an undergrad, I was part of Bryant's student-run mutual fund, similar to D'Amore-McKim's 360 Huntington Fund, where I analyzed equities and fixed income and got to be part of real investment decisions. That experience opened my eyes to the field's dynamic and analytical nature. Interning with Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors on its fixed income team took it even further. Focusing on credit analysis and seeing a professional investment team operate day to day made everything click for me. That's when I knew I wanted to build a career in this area of finance. 

When I started looking at graduate programs, I wanted something that would push me academically and also offer me new, meaningful, real-world experiences. D'Amore-McKim's MS in Finance stood out because of its commitment to experiential learning. I had already seen how valuable it is to learn by doing, and I wanted a master's program that shared that philosophy. I plan to pursue my CFA after graduation, so the curriculum's alignment with the CFA exams was a big plus. Overall, D'Amore-McKim felt like the right place to deepen my knowledge, grow my technical skills, and be part of a strong, supportive community.  

Q: What stands out about your experience?

A: One of the most memorable experiences has been the Boston Investment Conference. It's a highly selective event, and I was honored to be nominated to attend by D'Amore-McKim faculty. The conference brought together students from across Boston and professionals from top firms, giving me the chance to learn directly from industry leaders. I heard from CEOs, executives from Berkshire Hathaway and CalPERS, and even a doctor from Boston Children's Hospital who presented new treatments seeking funding. Experiences like this gave me firsthand insight into investment strategies, professional perspectives, and the finance industry at the highest level. 

My coursework has been a mix of traditional finance and quantitative electives. For example, I took a financial strategy course on company valuations and real options, as well as an econometrics-focused financial markets and institutions class. These taught me to apply regressions and quantitative methods in practical ways, which I've already started using in other courses. I also really enjoyed my international financial management course, exploring exchange rates and global finance. 

This semester, I am focusing on courses aligned with my career interests, including portfolio management, alternative investments, mergers and acquisitions, and a financial seminar that serves as a capstone, with presentations and debates on current topics. 

Q: How have you balanced grad school with being a D1 athlete?  

A: Balancing graduate school with my athletic career comes down to building consistent routines. I plan each day around training, studying, and recovery. It's not always perfect, but having structure keeps me focused and grounded. 

Being a student-athlete at this level is like a full-time job. Training, recovery, nutrition, and competition take up most of my day. When I'm not running, I'm usually in class or working on class assignments.  It's demanding, but training is also my mental reset—it gives me space away from academics while still pushing me to grow.  

What I've learned is that pursuing my master's degree and competing as a D1 track and field athlete have made me more organized, resilient, and intentional. Doing one or the other wouldn't challenge me in the same way. Balancing both forces me to level up. 

The program's flexibility has been a game-changer. I compete while taking 12 credits each semester, which is actually a full-time course load.  That flexibility is the only reason I can pursue my athletic goals and my graduate degree at the same time. 

Q: What's next for you?

A: My immediate goal is to start my finance career as an analyst in either equity or credit, with a long-term aim of becoming a portfolio manager. I'm particularly drawn to equities, but I'm exploring multiple paths. The MS in Finance is helping me build the technical skills and practical experience needed to stand out in a competitive market. I plan to graduate in August and begin my career in Boston. I'm using the Graduate Career Center's guidance on networking, job search timing, and expectations while applying to positions. 

Q: What advice would you share with future student athletes? 

A: My biggest advice is to stay curious and embrace the process of learning. Graduate school is different from undergrad, and it can be intense, especially while balancing athletics. Most students in the program are motivated and engaged, which makes every class challenging and rewarding. As a student-athlete, careful time management is key, but the program's structure and flexibility make it possible to succeed both in the classroom and in your sport. Get involved, participate fully, and approach every challenge as an opportunity to grow academically, athletically, and professionally.