Joe Huang is currently a student in the MS in Quantitative Finance program (MSQF), Class of 2027. He completed courses at NYU Stern this summer. Meet Joe and learn more about his summer experience.
A weekend gathering at my apartment where I cooked authentic Chinese spicy food (using my mom's recipe!) for my amazing, diverse group of friends from our cohort.
Quick Facts About Joe
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Undergraduate school: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE)
Undergraduate major: Finance
Previous work and/or internship experience: Risk Intern at Kering
Reason for choosing this program:
The program offers a balance between personal experience and professional growth. It allows me to spend the best time of the summer in New York, taking classes with Stern faculty while exploring the city's vibrant energy. Simultaneously, its New York plus Shanghai structure significantly accelerates my career development, equipping me with the dual-market fluency needed to become a highly competitive 'bridge professional' in the global financial market.
Career goals: To secure a front role in investment banking at a top-tier financial institution.
Other fun facts if any: This is my very first time visiting the US!
“I truly experienced the rigorous and practical financial education of a top-tier business school.”
—Joe Huang
Rushing back to Stern with Nickolas for class on the sweltering summer subway in full business attire, right after our amazing company visit to American Express.
Academic Highlight: Corporate Finance
My favorite course this summer was Corporate Finance, taught by Professor Anjolein Schmeits. Although I had already taken Corporate Finance during my undergraduate studies, this class was the first time I truly experienced the rigorous and practical financial education of a top-tier business school. Because Professor Schmeits also teaches Stern MBA students, she brought incredibly practical, industry-standard methods directly into our classroom. She is a humorous and highly approachable instructor. What amazed me the most was her immense dedication - she prepared every course material meticulously and provided exceptionally detailed feedback on our group projects. You can genuinely feel her sincere desire for every student to take away valuable, applicable knowledge. The practical valuation frameworks and industry insights I learned from her careful feedback will be absolutely invaluable as I navigate the highly competitive recruitment landscape for investment banking.
Most Memorable Experience: A Taste of American Life
My most memorable experience outside of class was a weekend trip to Central Jersey, where my MSQF classmate Tyler invited me and another classmate, Vishal, to his family's home. It was a perfect glimpse into American life. His mother cooked an unforgettable dinner—her tortellini was honestly better than what I had in Florence, and serving warm apple pie with melting ice cream on top is absolute genius! In return, I shared Chinese Moutai and tea, which they loved.
The absolute best tortellini made by my classmate Tyler’s mom during my weekend trip to his home in Central Jersey.
Later, Tyler's mom drove us to a famous oceanfront bar. Coming from an East Asian family, I was pleasantly shocked to see parents taking their kids out for drinks! The locals were incredibly welcoming. When they heard I was from Shanghai, their eyes lit up with genuine curiosity. It reminded me that beyond the social media narratives regarding US-China relations, people are inherently warm and eager to connect. It was a cozy, relaxing retreat that is very different from life in NYC or Shanghai.
Studying and Living in New York
Studying and living in New York this summer has been an incredibly vibrant experience. I live in Long Island City, which makes for a quick and easy daily subway commute to the Stern campus. My favorite part of a typical day is right after our morning classes, when I gather with friends from different programs, like the DABC cohort, to explore NYC’s famous food scene. For instance, my lovely classmate Lena recently recommended a Vietnamese restaurant where I had the most authentic Pho and Banh Mi!
After a heavy day of intensive courses, we often head down to Spring Street or Prince Street in SoHo for a relaxing happy hour. The best part about NYC nightlife is the serendipity—there have been nights where we walked into a pub or club and completely randomly bumped into another large group of classmates from different NYU programs! It creates such a fun, interconnected community vibe that makes this massive city feel like home.
Holding a massive rib from an authentic American BBQ spot (huge shoutout to my good brother Richard for taking me!) while catching the 2026 World Cup action.