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Name: Alexandria Steinmann
Class Year: 2018
Major: Finance
Minor: Entrepreneurial Studies
Position: Fixed Income Global Credit Products Analyst
Company: Credit Suisse
During the summer after my freshman year at Bentley, I studied abroad in London while also interning at a wealth management firm. During my sophomore year, I interned at UBS and Ameriprise Financial Services. I was also chosen to participate in a Sales & Trading Enrichment Program at Morgan Stanley as well as the Top Talent Women’s Program at Credit Suisse. During the summer after my sophomore year, I interned at Weeden & Co. as a Sales and Trading Summer Analyst. Lastly, I spent the summer after my junior year in New York City as a Sales and Trading Summer Analyst at Credit Suisse in the Global Capital Markets Division. Post-graduation I will be joining Credit Suisse as a Fixed Income Global Credit Products Analyst.
I knew that I wanted to pursue a career on Wall Street since I was in high school as I began investing my own money at a young age. My passion for investing grew substantially after being exposed to the Trading Room at Bentley during my first year where I was able to use the Bloomberg Terminals to analyze my investments in a more advanced fashion. Taking advantage of internships early in my college career allowed me to figure out which area of Investment Banking excited me the most, and I quickly realized that the Trading floor was the best fit for me.
One of the aspects of investing that I have always found most intriguing is how the markets are immediately impacted by world events, which forces investors and traders to constantly be aware of what is going on in the world. The best investors are able find a connection between world events and predict how the market is going to react. Investing styles may be based on commonly known valuation methods but each investor has the freedom to act upon their valuation as they wish.
One of the aspects of finance that I find most challenging is the speed at which technology is advancing. Rapid changes in technology are drastically changing investing styles, and if you are not able to keep up with the technology, you are going to be at a major disadvantage in the markets. Technology is not an area of study that I am particularly drawn to, but I realize that this is an area I will need to improve upon if I want to continue investing in a world of expanding algorithms.
If you’re preparing to enter this career, starting early and working hard is key. It can be extremely difficult to land a job at an Investment Bank after college if you have not completed internships in finance, are able to express your genuine interest in this career path or have figured out a way to differentiate yourself. By interning early in college, you allow yourself the ability to figure out which area of Wall Street you want to work for, and which areas you do not. The hours required to succeed in this career path are often greater than other careers, so it can be especially challenging to push through the late nights if you do not enjoy the work.
Some Bentley specific resources that are advantageous for this career path are the Trading Room and specifically, learning how to navigate the Bloomberg Terminals, FactSet and other resources used in valuation of investments. Finance, accounting and economics courses are important to excel in, but courses in almost any subject can be beneficial for investing as they bring a different perspective to the table. Lastly, students should take advantage of the Bentley Career Services Office (Ranked #1 in the country). The advisors work extremely hard and genuinely enjoy helping students land their dream internships and full-time positions.
The one person at Bentley who has helped me get where I am today is Kristine Vidic. She has been one of the most supportive people in my life and has been there for all of the major milestones during my college career. I met Kristine because I was lucky enough to be assigned to her CDI 101 class during my freshman year and after staying connected with her throughout the years, she hired me to become a Student Director of Bentley Career Services where I get to work with her on a day-to-day basis. She has become one of my biggest advocates and through working in the Career Services Office, I am given the opportunity to see the positive effects she has on so many of my peers.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career with Credit Suisse, or you’d like to learn more about their career opportunities click here. More specifically, if you are interested in pursuing a similar career path, stop by Career Services for more information, or even come by during Sophomore Drop-in’s (Mon-Fri 1-2:30) to talk to Alex herself! Also, be sure to connect with Alex on LinkedIn if you want to learn more about Credit Suisse from her!
