Tyler Christian

I came to Notre Dame without a strong understanding of the financial services industry. Over time, through guidance from faculty and senior mentors, I found my path and developed a goal of adopting a global perspective as a lifelong investor. This process was driven through experiences with the Notre Dame Institute for Global Investing including the Global Portfolio Management Course, the Venture Capital Investment Competition, and the International Portfolio Management Practicum in London.

Learning to Work Toward Continuous Improvement

One of my greatest lessons at Notre Dame has been the message that there should be no end to the learning process. It is difficult to grasp at times, but every successful investor I have met has dedicated themselves to a constant process of improving and refining their approach. Beyond that, there is an incredible alignment of personal and professional qualities among those at the top of the finance field. The opportunity to progress toward this alignment is especially present in the courses and programs that are sponsored by the NDIGI. I would encourage every underclassman to take advantage of such a diverse curriculum to the fullest extent possible. There is no set endpoint to a student's development in Mendoza - or in life - if the willingness to learn and to explore new opportunities is preserved.

Value of an Independent Perspective

Each of the programs sponsored by the NDIGI has the potential to introduce students to a career in finance that they have never before considered. There are so many wonderful opportunities that are available in this industry if students are only willing to fully explore and take time to develop an organic interest. My experiences in programs such as the Venture Capital Investment Competition and the International Portfolio Management course have been extremely valuable as an introduction to fields that were not covered in great depth in more traditional classes. NDIGI's network in these and other related programs is impressive and bodes well for students who would like to dive further into a specific field of interest.

Increasing Industry Emphasis on Experiential Learning

The competition for internship and full-time positions in finance is more competitive than ever. Accordingly, firms are shifting their focus in order to better identify top students. While clubs such as the Wall Street Club and SIBC are an important resource for Mendoza students, the NDIGI's broadened opportunities for experiential learning are a chance to truly stand out among peers. These opportunities are bound to become more numerous in the coming years, and the benefits of this curriculum will only increase through further commitment from students.