Kiran Moorthy
Tippie Finance & Economics Major;
Expected Graduation: May 2010
Which year were you admitted to the program?
I was admitted as a sophomore in the fall of 2007.
What are your ultimate career goals?
My ultimate career goal is to work in the financial services industry, preferably within the investment banking or asset management fields.
How is Hawkinson helping you achieve your career goals?
The Hawkinson Institute supplements my finance course work by exposing me to real-world case studies similar to the work I will face throughout my career. We attend weekly seminars that have helped to increase my understanding of potential career paths within the financial services industry. More specifically, the seminars provided invaluable information about investment banking that was not available in the classroom and also increased my knowledge about the capital markets.
In the same way, I have benefited from one-on-one collaborations with the directors, which focus on mock interviewing, resume assistance, and career advising. Above all, having the chance to interact and network with seasoned professionals and motivated peers has made the investment banking industry less abstract and my career goals more of a reality. Interacting with Hawkinson Institute alumni and gathering an insider's perspective on the field has streamlined my personal career aspirations.
What is the most valuable thing learned in Hawkinson?
With the amount of opportunities that the institute offers, it is difficult to pinpoint which aspect has been most valuable. In retrospect, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of what the investment banking industry is and does and, more importantly, learning from the alumni and professionals what it takes to truly succeed in the industry have both been invaluable. It has been inherently important for me to understand that investment banking is not always as glamorous as the media portrays it. One has to be ready to sacrifice in order to achieve his or her goals.
Please list any advice you may have for prospective scholars.
The University of Iowa has a number of resources that can provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to make a difference. Every student at Iowa should determine how they can best make an impact on the university. The best advice that I can provide up-and-coming students would be to take advantage of the opportunity that surrounds you. Hawkinson is an excellent medium through which students can learn about themselves, expand their knowledge in finance and the capital markets, and eventually give back to the program and the university.
