Investors, banking analysts, wealth managers, financial planners today rely on a new set of quantitative skills in playing the markets.
They combine programming and modeling techniques, critical thinking, and business and finance skills to build robust portfolios that create value for their clients and themselves.
At Stevens, the Student Managed Investment Fund is where tomorrow’s investment professionals perfect these techniques in preparation for rewarding careers in the fast-changing world of finance. In this two-semester course, students work as analysts, risk advisors, quants and, ultimately, leaders responsible for managing a portion of the university’s endowment. This is the closest a student can get to the experience of working for a major Wall Street firm. SMIF alumni can be found at big firms and startups, where their insights guide successful investment strategies and deliver consistent value to the business.
Uniquely Stevens
The core strengths of technology and finance at the School of Business — further reinforced through the Hanlon Financial Systems Center — combine to create an empowering environment for future finance professionals.
Quantitative focus
The SMIF is embedded into the Quantitative Finance curriculum, though it’s open to any Stevens student. You’ll use portfolio analysis tools to evaluate expected returns and create your own factor models to weight investments in various categories.Industry proximity
Wall Street is a 10-minute train ride from Stevens’ Hoboken home. You’ll meet regularly with finance professionals, including a highly active board of advisors, and gain insights through frequent interactions with Goldman Sachs, the brokerage firm for SMIF.Incredible network
Beyond our proximity to Wall Street, you’ll forge tight bonds with your classmates and with past SMIF students, who often contribute their expertise in the class. It’s a network that will follow you well beyond commencement.
How it works
Unlike a typical course, students must apply for a seat in SMIF. Competition is fierce; only about a third of students who apply are accepted, with all decisions being made by the student leadership, which evaluates résumés and conducts interviews before selecting new members.
In the first semester, you’ll work as an analyst, identifying opportunities, doing due diligence, assessing risk and pitching to your peers. You’ll have the opportunity to pursue a leadership role in your second semester, running the risk, quant, modeling or portfolio allocation teams — or even working as head of SMIF.