Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts and is well-known for its co-op programs that allow students to gain work experience while pursuing their degrees. In recent years, Northeastern has also built up its offerings in the investment and finance space, providing students with opportunities to develop practical skills and knowledge. This article will take a closer look at the key investment programs offered at Northeastern.
Northeastern’s Student Managed Investment Fund
One of the flagship investment programs offered at Northeastern is the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF). This is a course where students actively manage a portfolio of real money and get hands-on experience in security analysis and portfolio management.
The SMIF was launched in 2008 with an initial investment of $250,000 from the university. Over the years, through prudent investments, the fund has grown to over $3 million in assets under management as of 2022.
Students in the SMIF course are broken up into industry-focused teams covering sectors like technology, healthcare, consumer, and financials. They are responsible for analyzing companies, pitching stock ideas, and ultimately deciding which securities to include in the portfolio.
The fund is benchmarked against the S&P 500 index and students in the course compete with teams from other universities across the country in an annual competition. Being part of SMIF provides students with real investment experience they can highlight on their resumes.
Investment Clubs
In addition to formal courses, Northeastern also has a vibrant ecosystem of student investment clubs. Some of the active clubs include:
– Husky Student Investment Fund (HSIF): This multi-disciplinary club allows members to gain investing experience by managing a portfolio of real money.
– Husky Capital: Focuses on teaching members financial modeling, valuation, due diligence and other investment banking skills. They compete in case competitions and also manage a portfolio.
– Husky Quant Fund: Apply algorithmic trading strategies to financial markets. Use Northeastern’s data analytics resources to backtest algos.
– Alternative Investments Club: Learn about alternative asset classes like private equity, venture capital, real estate and cryptocurrencies.
– Husky FinTech Club: Explore applications of technology in finance and connect with Boston’s bustling fintech ecosystem.
Being part of these clubs allows students to explore their specific interests through project work, competitions, conferences and interactive sessions with industry practitioners.
D’Amore-McKim School of Business
Many of Northeastern’s investment programs are housed within the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. D’Amore-McKim is AACSB accredited and offers a wide range of programs including:
– Undergraduate degrees in Finance, Financial Planning, and Accounting
– MS in Finance, Financial Analytics, and Investment Management
– MBA with finance concentrations
The school has over 80 faculty members specializing in investment-related fields. Notable names include finance professors Albert Menkveld and Yingzhen Li.
D’Amore-McKim also regularly hosts conferences, speaker series, and other events that bring industry experts to campus. Recent visitors include founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.
The resources and network offered by the business school provide a strong foundation for students looking to pursue careers in investment management.
Boston Location
One of the biggest advantages of studying at Northeastern is its location in the heart of Boston. Boston is a major financial hub and home to firms like Fidelity, Putnam Investments, and Wellington Management.
Northeastern’s co-op program allows students to gain experience at Boston investment firms and connect with industry professionals. The campus is also close to downtown Boston banking centers.
In addition, the Greater Boston region has one of the highest concentrations of colleges and universities in the country. This creates opportunities for collaboration on projects, competitions, and events.
In summary, Northeastern University provides a comprehensive set of investment programs through real-world courses like SMIF, an ecosystem of investment clubs, the resources of the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, and its prime location in Boston. Students can gain hands-on experience in security analysis, portfolio management, financial modeling, and other investment disciplines. These practical programs combined with Northeastern’s co-op system can effectively equip students for careers in investing and finance.