A recent graduate of the Class of 2018, Joann joins Morgan Stanley in New York as a Global Capital Markets Analyst in the Equity Capital Markets group. While at Tufts, she was President of the Tufts Economics Society, an Executive Board Member of the Tufts Financial Group, and President of the Tufts branch of 180 Degrees Consulting, a volunteer, social-impact consultancy. As she embarks on this next exciting phase in her life and career, we asked Joann to reflect on her finance education at Tufts over the past 4 years.
What made you decide to pursue a career in finance?
When I arrived at Tufts, I had no idea what I wanted to study. I was the freshman that quite literally attended 17 general interest meetings for different student organizations in the first week! Luckily, Tufts Financial Group was one of the organizations on my list. I was impressed with the students leading the meeting—they were extremely well-spoken, and their passion for the subject was contagious.
My interest in finance was further piqued upon hearing about the innovative, ever-changing, and high-impact nature of the industry at the Finance Career Forum that fall. I wanted to find a career that would provide me with the opportunity to consistently challenge myself and learn; I believed finance would provide exactly that.
What is your favorite part about the finance community at Tufts?
The finance community at Tufts is uniquely welcoming, encouraging, and supportive. As a sophomore trying to learn more about the industry, I was always so grateful to the upperclassmen, the faculty and staff, and the Tufts alumni who never hesitated to take time out of their busy days to talk to me about their own careers. My questions, no matter how elementary, were always respected and answered honestly and whole-heartedly. This welcoming atmosphere contributed tremendously to my pursuit of a career in finance. It helped me believe that breaking into the finance industry was achievable.
How did your experience at Tufts prepare you for your new job?
Tufts, by the virtue of its liberal arts curriculum, has taught me how to learn. As someone who studied Quantitative Economics and Philosophy at Tufts, I always took advantage of the opportunity to explore many different classes in varied areas, ranging from Microfinance to Early Islamic Art.
By the nature of my exposure to different courses and topics at Tufts, I learned to fully embrace any information thrown my way. I am excited by the things I do not yet know, and I am grateful to Tufts for giving me the confidence to embrace and learn from the unknown. In an ever-changing industry like finance, I believe this will prove very helpful.
What is your advice to younger students that might be interested in pursuing a career in finance?
Reach out and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The best way to find out if this is an industry you would be interested in pursuing is to speak to professionals in the field. Attend events like the Finance Career Forum, utilize resources like Chris Di Fronzo and Chris Manos, and speak to alumni to hear about the industry from seasoned professionals.
What are your goals for the future?
I am looking forward to working at Morgan Stanley in New York as a Global Capital Markets Analyst, specifically working in the Equity Capital Markets group. I am excited to continue learning, challenging myself, and growing in this role!
In addition, I am extremely excited to join the Tufts alumni community and contribute in any way I can. Knowing how helpful Tufts alumni have been to me makes me hungry to give back and to help current students learn more about the industry.