 | Alex Quintana
Vanderbilt MS Finance Class of 2006
Citi Cards - Management Associate Program, Operations
Jacksonville, Florida |
Building a Strong Foundation
My new position is as a Management Associate for Citi Cards Operations. The rotational program is two years long and consists of three rotations: two project management rotations and a people management rotation. Throughout the program, Management Associates participate in team projects, classroom seminars, and mentoring programs. This is exactly the sort of position I was looking for: a leadership development program in a global financial institution. This program will allow me to use both the finance skills I developed at Owen and my undergraduate background in East Asian Studies to contribute to Citigroup’s success from the get-go. Additionally, the program’s strong emphasis on learning and networking will allow me to develop a strong foundation from which to build a career.
Discovering New Opportunities
Initially when I entered the MS Finance program, I was very focused on wealth management. After taking several classes, and talking with MBA students who shared their industry experience, I realized that there were many more areas of finance that interested me, including commercial banking, investment banking, private equity, and equity research. I am looking forward to working at Citi and building a career in the financial services industry.
Blending Liberal Arts with Finance
The MS Finance program allowed me to couple my East Asian Studies degree with a solid set of finance skills. Specifically, I have been able to develop the ability to analyze business problems from a quantitative perspective. Tools like the discounted cash flow model, put-call parity, and the Black-Scholes options pricing model have allowed me to understand and apply the numbers to business problems. In my career search, I was able to market myself as someone who can use numbers, but is also able to come at things from a creative, liberal arts perspective.
A Welcoming Environment
The Owen community provides a great place to conduct a job search and discover your interests. The Owen environment facilitates nonstop learning, from early in the morning when your complimentary Wall Street Journal is delivered to your doorstep, to late at night when you stop by the computer lab to talk with the students who are day-trading in India. Owen also fosters a very welcoming environment. In particular, MBA students are a great resource. From looking over a resume to discussing a WSJ article, I was able to learn a lot from their experiences. Vanderbilt and Owen alumni are also more than willing to talk with students about their work, and I found this extremely helpful as I explored career options. Additionally Amy, the program director, is an amazing resource. Whether you have a cover letter to proofread or you just need someone to talk strategy with you, Amy is always there.
