By Brecken Mumford | Contributor
Business professor Scott Adams and seven business and finance students recently made a trip to New York City for Quinnipiac University's annual Global Asset Management Education (Q G.A.M.E.) Forum. They had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
At the Q G.A.M.E. Forum, students from around the world listened to keynote speakers, participated in breakout sessions and met with business professionals from the finance world.
"It's 99 percent designed for students, so some of it was career advice and (explaining) certain areas of finance-what's investment banking, what's private equity-and then some of it (was) just sessions about where this guy thinks the economy's going or what are some stocks you should look at," Adams said. "It's kind of a mix of everything like that."
Taylor students such as senior Sam Hill were able to connect with successful professionals and gain insight into the business world-from the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to the chief global investment strategist for Charles Schwab.
"The fact that we would be able to hear and learn from so many industry professionals (who) have been in this industry for so long truly excited us all for this trip," Hill said.
In addition to the conference, Adams and the Taylor students toured the New York Stock Exchange floor.
Adams said a Taylor alumnus was at a charity auction and bid on a visit for five to the New York Stock Exchange. He won and contacted Adams about the opportunity for bringing a few students. Due to alumni connections with the firm hosting the auction, Adams was able to include the seven students already going to Q G.A.M.E.
The NYSE is closed to public tours, making this the opportunity of a lifetime. Students went through background checks and security before and at the NYSE tour.
"They (asked) for your ID and then (took) a picture of you. The picture (was) put on a paper badge that you (would) wear throughout the tour," senior DJ Lindquist said. "You better believe I kept that badge; that is how cool it was for me."
Adams, the students and alumni toured the two-level facility on March 29. They were able to observe the floor from above, the in-house CNBC studio and onto the floor itself.
The NYSE is mainly computer-operated, but students were able to talk with people and take pictures while they toured.
"It was surprisingly . . . casual and friendly," Adams said. "So they talked to whomever they wanted."
The tour included a lesson on the history of the NYSE and its transition to computerization. It also changed students' perspectives on the Exchange and how it operates.
Senior Sam Schuette recently said in an interview with The Chronicle-Tribune, "Some of the stigmas associated with Wall Street are that it's hectic, but it's actually a very calm and quiet environment."
Students were also challenged to break down their stereotypes of those who worked on Wall Street.
"So many people today feel as though Wall Street is out to get the average investor," Hill said. "I would argue that there are so many people on Wall Street who are doing whatever they can to truly make people's lives better."
The Taylor students and Adams brought their stories from the Q G.A.M.E. Forum, New York City and the NYSE tour to their peers back at Taylor.
"The Taylor University Business Department emphasizes the opportunities that students have to get out of Upland and experience the greater business opportunities around the world," Hill said. "We were able to learn about our areas of study in NYC among many (professionals) who do not share our Christian worldviews."
TU Business provides students with possibilities to experience real-world financing by managing $2.3 million of the University's endowment and giving them the opportunity to prep and take the Series 7 Brokerage Licensing and CPA exam.
"I have been really pleased with the Taylor business department, which I believe is what most companies who hire Taylor grads are saying as well," Lindquist said. "So this trip just continues Taylor's good reputation in business."
