Business students flock to collaborative new fintech career event
Officers and faculty advisors from the Accounting Club, Finance Club, Information Technology and Cybersecurity Club have collaborated to create a new event focused on the ever-evolving world of financial technology.
RGA representatives Stephanie Kut (left) and Edmond Deuser speak with UMSL Business students at a joint fintech event held last Tuesday. (Photo provided by Derrick Holtmann)
The origins of an innovative collaborative event held last Tuesday at Anheuser-Busch Hall on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Paul. Louie’s origins can be traced back to the Information Technology & Cybersecurity Club’s Spring Social, held every May.
There, Accounting Club President-elect Angela Truesdale chatted with ITCC representatives and brainstormed ideas about what clubs can learn during the fall semester and how they can help each other. We were brainstorming. A recurring topic in our conversations was the impact of technology on the current and future job market.
With an idea flowing, they joined the Finance Club and an event focused on exploring career opportunities in the world of financial technology was born.
“The primary focus of the Accounting Club is to prepare students for a successful transition into the professional world after graduation,” Truesdale said. “But as the world of accounting becomes increasingly intermixed with software and technology, the role of accountants is changing, becoming less of a bookkeeper and more of a data analyst. We would like to respond to this.”
The event, co-sponsored by all three clubs in the School of Business Administration, was a success. Representatives from Moneta, Reinsurance Group of America, and FinLocker provided insight and expertise to the event, which was sold out even though it had to be rescheduled from its original date. The official sign-in list at the front of the room included 60 students, but many more gathered in room 002, where students lined up along the wall. Ms Truesdale said she and others had to go to get chairs from room 004 three times.
Anheuser-Busch Hall Room 002 was packed for the new FinTech Careers event co-sponsored by the Accounting Club, Information Technology & Cybersecurity Club, and Finance Club.
“Even though it was that full, it didn’t deter students who arrived later from finding a space,” said Truesdale, who spearheaded the event and led planning efforts. “We made sure there was a place for everyone.”
Moneta was represented by Kevin Blankenship and Anthony M. Pietroburgo, RGA was represented by Stephanie Katt and Edmund Duzer, and Finlocker was represented by Brian Garcia. All three spoke about how financial technology continues to evolve, impacting day-to-day operations and how companies plan for the future.
“A lot of students don’t really understand what fintech is,” says Marcia Countryman, who has been the accounting club’s faculty advisor for 10 years. “This is a challenge in the sense that things are changing so fast that even experts are constantly learning what’s going on and how it can be applied to different types of organizations.” I love that we have three clubs here because fintech is being used everywhere in business, so students in different clubs can see how it’s being used. If you are interested, you can learn how to tailor business classes within your program to meet the needs of your employer.”
Truesdale said one of the focuses is to attract companies that are hiring, whether for internships, part-time or full-time positions. Company representatives also answered questions from students during and after the event.
“Being able to see the interaction between students and speakers was definitely a highlight of the event,” said Timothy Dombrowski, faculty advisor for the Finance Club and assistant professor of finance. “Additionally, each presenter brought valuable insights and advice for students to consider as they advance in their academic and professional careers. Three different companies of varying size and focus This gave the students a broader understanding of what fintech entails and the opportunities in this growing industry. .”
Countryman said the event was beneficial to her and the other faculty advisors in attendance, Dombrowski and Shaji Khan of ITCC.
“Our goal as faculty here at the university is always to prepare our students for their careers, so we also need to stay up-to-date on what’s going on. ” she said. “My job is to help students develop the skills they need for their dream jobs, so the more we attract companies like Moneta, RGA, and FinLocker to our campus, the more we can help students connect with people. They get to know each other, network, and increase their chances of finding companies like the “internships” and jobs they want. ”
This collaborative event provided an opportunity for each club’s officers to contribute to the planning.
“The students did a great job of building a partnership from the ground up for this event, dividing the work among the three club officers,” Dombrowski said. “In addition to sharing the task of recruiting speakers, students collaborated on budgeting, creating promotional materials, managing event logistics, and more.”
In addition to Truesdale, Treasurer Club Vice President Grant Ebert and Treasurer Alex Paubel, ITCC President Pavani Lakshmi Priya Maheswarapu, Vice President Kimati Njoki, and Treasurer Matt Mr. Garland and members of the Finance Club, including President Addison Eaker and Treasurer Tommy Gerding, also assisted. Ted Nieman, Director of Outreach and Anisha Inaganti, Director of Engagement.
“We love having joint meetings in the College of Business,” Countryman said with a smile. “This gives staff the opportunity to find out about other organizations and what they are doing, find ways to innovate and generate new ideas, just like we do here.”
