Bachelor of Science in Finance

Cole fostered an early interest in finance. His grandfather introduced him to investing as a child, walking him through account statements and explaining dividends when Cole was just six years old. That curiosity grew through finance internships in high school and watching his brother build a career in the field. By the time he arrived at GW, pursuing a degree in finance felt like a natural fit. 

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In the classroom, Cole highlights professors who bring real-world experience to their teaching. Alex Caffrey, Adjunct Professor of Finance, who worked in banking and now runs a real estate and private equity firm, taught Excel with Financial Modeling, where Cole built a Discounted Cash Flow valuation for Tesla stock. Robert Savickas, Associate Professor of Finance, stood out as an Advanced Financial Management professor who always engaged his students in classroom discussions and debates, requiring students to find evidence in their analysis and defend their positions against classmates. Alexandre Baptiste, Associate Professor of Finance, and Senay Agca, Professor of Finance, have also been incredible resources to him.

One of the aspects of GW that surprised Cole was the structure built into the early business curriculum. Through the Business Leader Development (BLD) program, students are guided to create LinkedIn profiles, build a resume, conduct coffee chats and meet upperclassmen. It was through a BLD mentor that Cole first learned about Wall Street Finance Alliance (WSFA), which became an important part of his experience and equipped him with the necessary skills for a career in investment banking. He has since become one of the senior leads in WSFA, where he helps run meetings, guides younger members to develop technical proficiency and in recruiting preparation, and serves as a mentor to underclassmen navigating the same career path. Cole interned at Jefferies in the Automotive Aftermarket Group during his junior summer and will be looking to return full-time as an investment banking analyst. In the program, important takeaways include:

• Think critically about financial data and challenge assumptions to come to original conclusions and findings.
• Navigating the professional landscape early by building habits around networking, outreach, and personal branding.
• Translating financial theory into practical application through hands-on modeling and valuation exercises.

The connections Cole has made extend well beyond professional life. He has built rewarding, lifelong friendships with peers he met through classes, club involvement, and recruiting. For anyone considering the program, Cole’s advice is to simply involve yourself. Attend club meetings, go to office hours, integrate yourself in your classes, and see what sticks. The students who take away the most at GW are the ones who show up. Looking ahead, Cole is focused on passing his series exams, learning as much as he can, and building a strong start to his career.