GRANT JONES '24 MSF

Current job: Investment Banking Analyst at Capital One

Location: New York, NY

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

Villanova's MSF program provided me with the tools, resources, and network to successfully pivot into a highly technical financial role. Villanova's professors guided me through a variety of topics, career areas, and skill sets, encouraging me to explore opportunities across the financial industry. The tight-knit Villanova MSF alumni network shared invaluable insights and facilitated connections with other NYC professionals, bolstering my job prospects and helping me expand my network.

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

Two classes that I found particularly interesting were Chris Perry's Portfolio Theory class and Michael Pagano's Financial Institutions class. Both shed light on topics that I was unfamiliar with prior to the program. Portfolio Theory and the student-managed fund associated with the class incentivized me to keep up with the markets and the overall economy all while polishing my technical and valuation skills. Financial Institutions peeled back the curtain on the inner workings of commercial banks, how risk is managed at those commercial banks, and why commercial banks play such a critical role in our society. Both classes were useful in rounding out my financial knowledge, allowing me to speak more intelligently on the broader economy during interviews and networking calls.

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

Learning and growing as a cohort was one of my favorite aspects of the program. Getting to know people from diverse backgrounds and pursuing different career areas helped me grow personally and professionally. Aside from providing me with a reliable network and resource group, most importantly, the cohort experience provided me with lifelong friends.

What was your favorite experience during the program?

Learning, growing, and fostering new relationships with my cohort. Additionally, I think the social team did a fantastic job of scheduling events. There was always something going on whether it be a sports outing, free lunch, or a happy hour. With the intensity of the program and the job search, it was always nice having something casual to look forward to.