FRANCOIS D'ELIA '24 MSF

Current job: Associate at Capital One

Location: Washington, DC

How did Villanova’s MSF program prepare you for your career?

Villanova’s MSF Program built upon my undergraduate finance foundation and really expanded my knowledge base when it came to financial concepts and technical skills needed to succeed in today’s environment. The curriculum is extremely practical and in-depth and that translates to real world applications. The MSF program helped me develop both personally and professionally through the amazing professors, career development team, mentors, and the Villanova network it provides.

Are there specific instructors/courses that had a critical impact?

I think all the courses and professors throughout the program had a critical impact on me personally. I thoroughly enjoyed every course and enjoyed the challenges each one presented while also seeing the constant overlap between topics. Every professor in the program is super dedicated and knowledgeable of the material they teach and will go out of their way to help you to better understand the topics discussed in class. From managing the Haley Large Cap Fund to learning about derivatives, alternative investments, financial markets, fixed income, and quantitative finance, the MSF program gives exposure to all things finance.

How did your experience as part of a student cohort add value to your growth as a finance professional?

Being part of a student cohort provided a huge amount of value as learning with a group of dedicated and hard-working people can only help in terms of learning the course material but also developing professionally. In helping each other study, or with job interview prep, or working on projects/homework together you really develop the teamwork and communication/collaboration skills needed to have success in any workplace.

What was your favorite experience during the program?

So many great experiences, but without a doubt the people. The MSF program provided me with people who now I consider great friends. From seeing each other every day in class, to going to Villanova sporting events, to attending MSF happy hours and events, and hanging out together on the weekends, the Villanova MSF Program provided me with so many great memories and connections. At the same time, all the professors, administration, and career/professional development team were all amazing people who really had a huge impact on me in just a one-year period and are people I keep in contact with even after my time in the program has ended.