Rebecca Pappas

Exploration and Continual Engagement

After engaging with Notre Dame’s Institute for Global Investing myself, I understand why those involved with the Institute stay involved. NDIGI provides students with a plethora of opportunities for exploration and continual engagement to the point where finding an interest in the investment industry and acting on it becomes rather simple. Through opportunities such as the Speaker Series with alumni and crash courses led by well-established upperclassmen, the Institute introduced me to areas such as investment banking and private equity. As someone who did not know these fields existed prior to entering college, I really appreciate NDIGI’s focus on exposing students to such emergent career paths. One particular way the Institute helped explore my options is through its partnership with Girls Who Invest. The Institute connected me to Girls Who Invest alumni at Notre Dame who acquainted me with GWI’s programs for freshmen and helped me apply to my current program. This summer, I am participating in the Girls Who Invest CFA Online Learners Program which will give me a comprehensive overview of the asset management industry. Through NDIGI and its partnership with Girls Who Invest, I already have a firm grasp on how the financial services industry works and how I can make a positive impact in it. NDIGI has provided me with the foundation necessary to become a world leader in an increasingly competitive field.

Mentors Who Work to Inspire

When I was choosing between college business programs the spring of my senior year, I had the opportunity to sit down with the leaders of the Institute. They assured me that the Institute and Notre Dame at large would provide me with guidance throughout my undergraduate business journey. The Institute has given me more guidance than I could have asked for. Through the Speaker Series, panel discussions, courses and club partnerships, NDIGI inspires students to engage in the investment industry and connects these bright students to otherwise inexperienced underclassmen like myself. Through NDIGI’s partnership with Notre Dame’s Investment Club, I had the opportunity to compete at a stock pitch competition at the University of Southern California the spring of my freshman year. Not only did this competition instill in me a passion for the investment industry, provide me with real-world experience and grow my intellectual grit, but it also connected me to experienced individuals. Some of these individuals were panel judges and veterans in the industry, and some were students at Notre Dame. My team was led by a seasoned finance major who went the extra mile to pass on his knowledge of the investment industry to me. This kind of peer mentorship supplements the larger network of mentors that NDIGI provides for students. NDIGI also provides more professional mentorship through its engagement with ND alumni and professionals in the field. After one Speaker Series event, the Institute arranged for a few other students and me to have dinner with featured speaker, portfolio manager and ND alumni, Matt Zenz. These casual opportunities give students the ability to learn more about different fields and give them valuable human resources to connect with. The mentorship I have received through NDIGI has done more to whet my interest in investing than a class lecture ever could.