An Interview with Cole Jackson, ASU Bulls & Bears Liaison
1. What are the goals of the ASU Investment Banking Industry Scholars and can you tell me how the organization got started?
The goal of IBIS is to prepare and educate students for a career on Wall Street and related fields. All members work together to gain a better understanding of the investment banking industry and particular hiring practices, as well as required soft, communication, and technical skills needed to obtain a position. The organization began a few years back when the W. P. Carey School of Business noticed a select group of highly motivated students who were very interested in the investment banking industry and started working with these students to reach out to alumni and professionals in the industry.
2. What type of skills does the organization help member’s build during the year?
IBIS has a strong focus on the importance of building valuable relationships and the ability to effectively communicate your ideas. The group works a lot on the interview process as well, addressing common industry-related questions and preparing members for behavioral and technical questions that other members have been asked in interviews. All of our members are very dedicated and stay very up to date on the markets, and we often hold discussions on current market events.
2. Cole, can you tell me about yourself? How did you get involved with the organization and receive the role of Bulls & Bears liaison?
I am currently a junior majoring in Finance and Economics here at the W. P. Carey School of Business. Investment banking encompasses many aspects of finance, and I am particularly interested in the debt and equity markets, with the goal of one day working on a trading desk. A friend of mine and member of the club, who knew I was interested in the markets and thought I’d be a good fit, referred me to IBIS. I was very interested with the content the organization had to offer and the caliber of students I would be working with. As far as Bulls & Bears, I love the publication, and the group needed someone to take over as liaison after one of our seniors graduated.
4. What advice do you have for other students that are trying to get a job in this current environment?
Firstly, I am by no means an expert at landing a job, and it has gotten nothing but harder given the current environment. From what I have discovered about this process, there are two aspects that have helped me to be more successful. First--and I know you hear this a lot--is persistence. Oftentimes, when I am communicating with professionals at some of these firms, I may send three emails to their one. Following up from time to time with what you’re working on, maybe asking them a question every few weeks, shows your dedication and commitment to your career. The second is focusing on the good relationships you have managed to build. When I first started this, I would mass email a lot of these names. As this process has gone on, I have realized I get more out of the relationships that I have nurtured and built over time.
5. What are your current views on the economic markets?
With the run up in equities, oil breaching $80 a barrel, and the dollar getting crushed, I think it’s fair to say risk appetite has increased. I am still very concerned with how fast this recovery can be and about the long-term effects this ‘quantitative easing’ will have on our currency. Unemployment is still dreadful, which will continue to restrict consumption, and I feel banks have yet to fully deal with the commercial real estate mess. I am more of a buy and hold investor, but I have been very cautious with this market, so I make sure to place periodic stop loss orders.
6. Where can students go to get more information about your organization?
If anyone is interested in learning more about our organization, please visit: http://wpcarey.asu.edu/undergraduate/ibis/index.cfm.
