I earned my B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Mathematics from Washington and Lee University. While I had a strong academic foundation in business, I pursued the MSBA program to strengthen my technical and analytical skills and prepare for a career in data-driven finance. Upon graduating from the MSBA program, I accepted a full-time offer as an Investment Banking Analyst at SMBC in the Consumer & Retail Group. This role allows me to combine the technical training and strategic thinking I developed during the program with my passion for working on complex financial transactions. My advice to current students is to take full advantage of the resources and mentorship available—lean into projects that challenge you and actively seek feedback. The effort you invest in building those skills and relationships will pay off in your first role and beyond.