Hi my name is David, I was born and raised in Boston and I am the son of first generation immigrants - both of my parents have accounting adjacent backgrounds which planted seeds for my career in finance. In J.P. Morgan, I focus on hedge fund and private credit portfolio management in a fund of funds and secondaries capacity. I got started relatively late into my college years, I spent most of it a bit lost - by graduation I knew I found finance interesting but had no relevant experiences or skills. After some twists and turns, I found myself in my current role. It took a lot of work and self taught skills to get me my first role.

My response will be in regards to my area of finance. In terms of hard skills, I think having some technical skills like python and Tableau are useful but not needed depending on your team. Regarding soft skills I'd say someone that's detailed oriented, has grit, and a can-do attitude will go a long way. I think in terms of practical knowledge, stuff you learn in your classes and the CFA level 1 are a great start.

Define the niche you want to work in, network with people of all types in this industry, and don't be afraid of asking questions. I get a lot of undergrad students telling me they want to work in AM, but no one ever seems to really know what's out there in AM. As a student it's important to be a sponge and learn as much as you can. When you have focus, you can put your time and efforts into getting to the area you want.

President Trump introduced comprehensive new tariffs, including a minimum 10% increase applicable to all trading partners, alongside targeted reciprocal tariffs on major trade partners. This policy aims to address long-standing imbalances and prevent exploitation of the U.S. economy. Significant increases include a 34% tariff on China and nearly 50% on Vietnam.

The announcement excluded Mexico and Canada due to existing free-trade agreements, although certain products from these nations remain affected by other tariffs, such as the upcoming 25% tariff on all finished vehicles starting midnight Eastern time Thursday. Read more HERE from the New York Times.

Amazon has made a late proposal to acquire TikTok as the app faces a U.S. mandate to divest from its Chinese owners by April or risk being banned. Despite skepticism from involved parties, the bid was part of intense negotiations in Washington, driven by bipartisan national security concerns. While Amazon's interest highlights its connections to TikTok’s significant retail influence in the U.S., the proposed ownership changes, including potential new U.S. investors like Oracle and Blackstone, remain uncertain in meeting federal requirements. Read more HERE from the New York Times.

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is a great resource for students exploring careers in cybersecurity, particularly those committed to advancing gender equality in this field. Founded in 2012, WiCyS operates as a non-profit and membership-based organization, supported by Strategic Partners such as Cisco, Facebook, and Palo Alto Networks, aimed to increase the presence of women in cybersecurity.

It offers a wide range of programs aimed at the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity. These include mentoring, training programs, scholarships, conferences (both virtual and in-person), leadership series, career fairs, and webinars. Explore their membership, opportunities

These initiatives provide students with networking opportunities, professional development, and the tools needed to succeed in cybersecurity careers. WiCyS is a pivotal platform for fostering a diverse and skilled cybersecurity workforce and creating a supportive environment where women can excel professionally. Check them out HERE!