University of Florida business students gain industry insights in rapidly expanding Finance Professional Development program
With new industry connections, trips to national financial hubs and case competitions, students are preparing themselves for a bright future in the finance industry.
A record 500-plus students at the University of Florida Warrington College of Business had more opportunities than ever to expand their understanding of careers in the finance industry thanks to new programming within the Finance Professional Development program.
Introduced in 2022, the Finance Professional Development (FPD) program supplements Warrington’s strong academic coursework for students interested in finance careers to learn about the field and engage with industry leaders.
For Oriana Rodriguez (BSAc ’25), who has been involved with FPD since its inception, the program has allowed her to not only learn, but also connect with industry leaders and her peers who study business at UF.
“If I had to sum up my experience with FPD, the list would go on forever,” Rodriguez said. “This organization has impacted my career and college trajectory. While the program is new, it continues to impact so many students and bring back alumni and industry professionals who want to be engaged with the university.”
Over the past year, FPD created dozens of new opportunities for students, including increasing its industry tracks from eight to 12 with the additions of quantitative finance and commercial banking, hosting industry speakers on campus, visiting with 75 companies in Florida and across the nation, and organizing three conferences and competitions for students to network and test their skills.
Among the most significant benefits FPD provides students is the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, many of whom are alumni of the University of Florida Warrington College of Business. This year, thanks to alumni connections, students met with leaders at companies like Charles Schwab, JM Family, Raymond James, KPMG and JPMorgan and beyond across Florida in cities like Miami, Tampa and Orlando.
For the first time, FPD expanded its reach to New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Houston. These visits included alumni-led visits to the New York Stock Exchange and opportunities to learn about the wealth management, consulting and corporate finance industries, among many others.
For Rodriguez, the trip to New York City was a life-changing experience, allowing her to envision what a future career there might look like.
“The center of the finance world is NYC, and it was always a dream to visit and see what working there would be like,” she said. “I was surprised to see how many alumni we have in NYC, and it was eye opening to the world of finance that is out there. I was able to work on my networking skills and see what a day in the life of an NYC employee looks like.”
The Finance Professional Development program also brought new opportunities to campus with three new case competitions that welcomed universities from across the nation. The inaugural Florida Investment Conference and Venture Capital Investment Competition brought universities like the University of North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Emory University and Northeastern University to Gainesville. The Warrington Undergraduate Case Competition pitted 30 teams of UF business students against each other to present a solution of how to update the fan experience and finance renovations at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
University of Florida alumni also made their way back to campus for several industry-focused talks with students. One such event, the Market Talk, brought JPMorgan Managing Director Alex Abreu (BSBA ’87), Bloomberg Chief Equity Strategist Gina Martin Adams (BSBA ’98), Bank of Central Florida President David Moore (BA ’95) and CovingtonAlsina Founder Ann Covington (BSAc ’94) to Warrington. About 70 students learned more about the current economy and markets thanks to the diverse alumni areas of expertise in industries like equity research, commercial banking and wealth management.
As a FPD student board member, Reeya Patel (BABA ’25) has taken advantage of almost all of the opportunities presented to her through the program. This year alone, she coordinated and attended the program trips to New York City, Houston, Miami and Tampa, attended the Florida Investment Conference and moderated the Market Talk panel.
“From these events, my network has grown significantly,” Patel said. “I’ve been able to get connected with other firms in different areas of the U.S. FPD is such a great organization, and getting to be part of the board, giving students the opportunity to connect and build their relationships is fulfilling!”
Of the over 500 students who participated in FPD this year, most of the students participated in the program’s Exploring Financial Economics (EFE). The one-semester Exploring Financial Economics engages first-year students in identifying internship and career fit through weekly workshops, panels and lectures before students choose a FPD track. Exploring Financial Economics grew its student participation over the past year, hosting its largest cohort of 420 students.
Exploring Financial Economics sets a strong foundation for students as they seek their personal area of interest in the finance industry. Of the students who graduated from the Warrington College of Business in 2024 and participated in EFE during their freshman year, 93% of the students secured an internship in their junior year, and 87% earned a full-time job or are continuing their education. Students entering the workforce earned roles at companies like Bain & Company, Bank of America, Deloitte, KPMG, RBC Capital and Wells Fargo.
FPD is poised to continue its substantial growth in the upcoming year by bringing students to more companies around the nation and hosting additional conferences. In the 2024-2025 academic year, students will visit finance-focused businesses in Charlotte and Dallas, while Gainesville will play host to the UF Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Conference.
