Summer 2021 Recap

The MS Quantitative Finance (MSQF) and MS Data Analytics & Business Computing (MSDABC) classes of 2022 kicked off the academic year in Summer 2021 by jumping straight into classes, career development workshops and events, and extracurricular activities

MSQF students in the Chinese Financial Markets course

MSQF students in the Chinese Financial Markets course

Students in both programs enrolled in nine credits between June and August. Students in the MSQF program completed Statistics & Data Analysis, Foundations of Finance, and Corporate Finance, while students in the MSDABC program completed Statistics & Data Analysis, Dealing with Data & Intro to Python Programming, and Machine Learning for Business. Faculty in many brought in guest speakers to share their content and industry expertise, as well as their career insights with students. Notable guest speakers included representatives from BNP Paribas China Ltd., Eucerin China, Alibaba, the executive search firm, Korn Ferry, Rhino Data, and Wells Fargo. To learn more about the curriculum, see here for the MSQF program and see here for the MSDABC program

The Career Development Center (CDC) began their one-on-one coaching appointments, advising students on how to update and improve their resumes, practice interviewing skills, and hone in on their career interests to help them launch their job search. The CDC also launched the Career-Readiness Development Program (CRDP) that features two signature event series: the Distinguished Industry Speaker Series and the Recruitment Preparation Series. Both series covered a variety of career topics designed to empower students and featured speakers and resources from a multitude of companies and industries. The speakers shared their experiences working at companies such as LeWagon, NielsenIQ China, AirBnB, Ekohe, Seatgeek, Haitong Securities, Babida Technology, Genomicare Biotechnology, PayPal, Cedarlake Capital, Essence Fund, and Bayer Digital Incubator. “We invited experienced professionals to share industry perspectives and valuable career advice on breaking into a specific industry,” shared Tang Ji, one of the CDC coaches. “Students also can navigate their recruitment process with tailored topics such as building their tech profile and technical interviews for financial companies. Many students told us they found those sessions insightful and useful."

CDC guest speaker, Leon Zhu, Data Scientist at Ekohe, advising students on how to prepare for their first job

CDC guest speaker, Leon Zhu, Data Scientist at Ekohe, advising students on how to prepare for their first job

Outside of the classroom and recruitment events, students had the opportunity to get to know faculty and their peers through catered lunches and ice cream study breaks, as well as frisbee games, karaoke nights, and time spent exploring Shanghai.

MSDABC students at lunch with Professor Renyu Zhang

MSDABC students at lunch with Professor Renyu Zhang

In the fall semester, which began the first week of September, students will continue to build on the summer’s foundational courses starting with Advanced Topics in Machine Learning for the MSDABC students, and Chinese Financial Markets for the MSQF students. They will also embark on recruitment season, supported by the CDC staff through continued coaching, workshops and events, including a series of employer events such as career fairs and company on-campus recruitment sessions.