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Name: Nicholas Carroll
Class Year: 2019
Major: Economics- Finance
Position: Wealth Management Analyst
Company: Bank of America Private Bank
Can you describe your career path for me? (This may include HS jobs, internships, etc.)
I started working in finance the summer after my freshmen year of college interning at State Street on a derivatives reconciliation desk. I then went to a 401(k) Consulting firm as in investments intern from the fall of my sophomore year until the spring of my Junior year working to create investment portfolios for middle and small market companies. My Junior summer I was given the opportunity to be a summer analyst at Bank of America Private Bank and worked under a top Advisor who focuses in lending to high net worth individuals. I was lucky enough to receive a return offer and join the Wealth Management Analyst Program following my graduation
How did you become interested in this career?
I was always interested in number and working with people. In this role I am able to speak to clients every day to solve their sophisticated and simple financial questions while also working with numbers to analyze some of these complex solutions.
What aspects of your position do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part of the job is when a client tells you that you appreciate the things that you are doing for them. Whether it be getting their children new bank accounts, closing a mortgage on their new home, or helping them utilize their assets to unlock more capital hearing a thank you for your hard work is very nice.
What aspects do you find most challenging?
The biggest challenge for me has been the switch from learning in a classroom to a work setting. As always when starting a new role there is a steep learning curve and you have to be able to put your head down to learn the new information and topics quickly in order to succeed. In a work setting like mine you are pulled many different ways on projects which you most likely will not know how to do. You have to be willing to dive into the topics so that you are able to present the information and deliver the correct information to your boss. Some days are challenging to learn and finish the projects but you always have to find a way.
What advice do you have for someone preparing to enter this career?
One of the biggest pieces of advice I received from someone who I now view as a mentor at the bank is to treat every little task with the same importance as the big projects. Whether it be something as small as helping your boss with a computer issue or resetting a client’s online password. By doing this you show your boss and the client that you are willing to do the smaller and sometimes boring projects well so that they trust you with more important work. Now being at the bank for 5 months I can see that this is one of the best pieces of advice as it has led my boss and clients to giving me more exposure to large credit transactions.
Are there any Bentley specific courses or resources you would recommend to help someone pursue this career?
I would say to take Intro to Financial Planning and a few advanced Economics classes.
Who is one person at Bentley that helped you get where you are today?
The most important people in my Bentley experience were MaryEllen Ryan and Mike Quinn.
