I am a person who believes that numbers tell the story and numbers show the facts. So, to gather and retrieve statistical data, research is crucial. Based on my experience analyzing securities and macroeconomic conditions, I can evaluate what sector and types of securities investors should focus on. This requires an understanding of gathering, synthesizing, and interpreting data from reliable sources. Therefore, while earning my degree in Finance – Investment Analysis, I have leveraged my research experience through writing a research paper, making investment decisions for the MNSU investment portfolio and conducting a financial analysis for a company.

 

In fall 2021, I conducted research on the "Macroeconomic Condition of Sweden." To complete my research and back up my findings, I used statistical data published by the Swedish government and Central Bank. As a result, I could gather information about the country's imports and export rates, GDP, interest rates, inflation, unemployment rate, and national income level. I received feedback on my paper from my professor, the Director of Scandinavian Studies at MNSU. Working with my professor helped me add more details and sources to my research paper from reliable resources. The biggest takeaway from this experience was learning how to interpret and read economic indicators and create a bigger picture of the country's economic state. Interpreting economic indicators helped me a lot with investment decisions in the Maverick Fund project.

 

The Maverick Fund project is a class where we, as a group of 12 students, worked with a professor to manage the MNSU investment portfolio value of about $850,000. We had access to the resources and tools that financial institutions and professionals use to manage their money. I analyzed the economy, researched various industries, identified fairly valued stocks, and presented my investment ideas to the faculty and university administrators. Also, we discussed Wall Street Journal articles and Barrons magazine to keep track of recent economic news. I used Morning Star Direct to keep track of financial statements and read analyst reports. All of this allowed me to put myself into the shoes of Asset Managers or CFAs, which was one of my most valuable hands-on experiences during school. I use all the knowledge I learned from this class on my investment portfolio and am undoubtedly willing to assist others with their investments in my professional career. 

 

In addition to this, I participated in Integrated Business Experience (IBE), which was a project that involved a lot of marketing research and business operations, unlike the Maverick Fund project, where I was focusing on macroeconomics and financial data. Integrated Business Experience (IBE) is a combination of a suite of required courses into a semester-long real-world entrepreneurial experience that taught me the process of launching and running the business. My team worked together to apply our knowledge from classes to planning, launching, and operating an actual business. As a result, I gained leadership skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and hands-on experience. So, down the road, when I establish myself as a financial professional, I will use this knowledge to create my own limited liability company (LLC) with the purpose of assisting my personal clients and allocating personal taxes. 

 

With my research arsenal, I prepared myself to face real-world challenges in my future career. With confidence in my research skills, I will apply my knowledge in the Asset Management position down the road. I will continuously keep growing as a researcher because more and more streams of information and data are being generated, and the ability to distinguish and interpret good quality data is crucial in investment decisions.