Brett Crandell’s experience in the Hawkinson Institute built his networking muscle—and took him all the way to a full-time role in investment banking.
Finding a fit in finance
“I decided to come to Iowa because of the incredible programs offered through Tippie, the lively atmosphere of Iowa City, and the proximity to my hometown of Des Moines."
Even though many of his friends felt the size of Iowa would hold him back from meeting people and making friends, Brett saw just the opposite.
“Iowa feels huge at first, but when you break it up into colleges like Tippie, then by the people in your year, then the ones in the smaller organizations you join, it gets smaller and smaller,” he explains. “I made a ton of friends, had loads of opportunities, and got to do it in an institution with so many resources.”
A Hawkinson heavyweight
Brett decided to pursue a BBA in finance at Tippie, with his sights set on law school. But when an upperclassman spoke to him about Hawkinson, his curiosity for investment banking started to grow.
“I was already trading stocks. I was reading business news. Joining the Hawkinson Institute helped me get a footing into a world I was already interested in.”
Brett wasn’t just interested in finance—he already had industry experience. He’d worked for a family friend’s financial firm the summer before he applied to Hawkinson. It was that experience, along with his stellar academic record, that gave him the confidence to interview with program director Brian Richman.
Once admitted, Brett launched into mock interviews, Friday meetings with his peers, and alumni networking dinners and events. The connections he made mattered. By his sophomore year, Brett landed an internship with Midwest Growth Partners, and five months later, was already interviewing for his junior year internship at Evercore in Chicago.
A network with muscle
By staying flexible and keeping his career options open, Brett’s Hawkinson experience led him all the way to his current role.
"Through Hawkinson, I was able to leverage Tippie’s alumni networks, go on pro trips, get internships, and eventually sign full time with Evercore in Chicago. None of that would have happened without the program.”
Now he coaches other potential Hawkinson students on the benefits of joining this elite organization.
“Hawkinson is the best professional development program you can get at the University of Iowa, in my opinion. You’re going to learn how to interview, how to email, how to write a resume, how to book trips—and you’re going to be in a cohort of people who are heavily involved in the Tippie community.”
By expanding their network, Hawkinson students can also expand their access to organizations outside of Tippie—from business fraternities, to philanthropic organizations, to leadership positions on campus.
"It's both the professional development and the access to involvement that really set Hawkinson apart,” he says. “It’s easier to get involved because you have those seamless connections to a huge variety of organizations.”