Q1 What is the title of the finance student competition you may consider competing? Hint: You may Google search something like “student competitions in finance”.
The National Investment Banking Competition.
Q2 Describe the eligibility requirements, if any (e.g., undergraduate college student).
Undergraduate or Graduate Student.
Q3 What are the competition criteria?
100 Page Case Study
Q4 What is the deadline for the submission?
January of the competing year
Q5 Why are you interested in this competition?
It provides a unique experience with international competitiors. It provides an opportunity to connect with financial recruits across the US. Networking is one of the most important factors in finding a job in todays market.
Q6 What would be a possible project you may turn in for the competition? Describe it in at least 100 words.
I would turn in a case study involving a large acquisition or merger. This case would look at company finances, investments, and the firm’s overall strategic plan. Due to the current dynamic business environment, there are always new events to write a case on. I would pick a merger or acquisition that represents its industry fairly, or creates an interesting point to investigate. Examples of mergers or acquisitions that could be used for a case study are LionsGate to TimeWarner Cable or AMC Networks to the popular streaming service, Netflix. This case study is expected to be roughly 100 pages in length.
Q7 List things that you learned in financial modeling course that could be helpful for your project in Q6. Describe it in at least 100 words.
Even the most basic functions of RStudio are integral pieces to the finance puzzle. The ability to track and retrieve information on stock prices using tq_get is one of the most valuable tools I have for modeling stocks against one another. Data regression tools help to create in depth charts. These charts are not only made quickly, but they are if the highest quality. The ability to code creates a product which a business executive would be satisfied with. This course also included elements of analysis and interpretation. Being able to take raw data and turn it into an analysis from start to finish is a rewarding process.
Q8 List things that you learned in other finance courses at PSU that could be helpful for your project in Q6. Describe it in at least 100 words.
This semester I had the opportunity to take a single graduate course at PSU, Financial Analysis. This course focused specifically on case studies where groups were assigned to answer questions about how companies funded their growth, serviced their debt, and other insights about the company. I can use the critical thinking skills developed in that class to help me in the investment banking competition. I have also been fortunate enough to take classes involving trading simulations to gain experiences with actually markets including NYSE. These classes, Investment Principles and Seminar in Finance, have provided me with valuable real world experiences.
Q9 Check the finance blog below and see if you see any post that may be helpful for your project in Q6. Discuss how it can be helpful in at least 100 words. Hint: The author of the blog writes articles on financial analysis using R. https://rviews.rstudio.com/categories/reproducible-finance-with-r/
The article I chose to read for this question involves IPO Exploration; In other words, portfolios based primarily on IPO stocks. IPO’s are typically more volatile, allowing for greater profit/loss. This is not only an interesting lense to view the market through, but RStudio functions can help support this view as well. This relates directly to the investment banking competition because IPO’s are an investment strategy. I could complete the case study looking through the IPO lense, looking to make a profit off of IPO portfolios. This would not construct the entire case study, but it would be included under long-term investments and financing.
Q10 List things that you think could be helpful but not taught/offered at PSU finance courses. Discuss how it can be helpful in at least 100 words.
As technology becomes more and more engrained in day to day life, there are more and more poeple looking to take finance mobile. This is in the form of laptops, cell phones, and applications. I would like to see PSU address the concerns that future students will have in these areas. It would be helpful if PSU offered classes specifiaclly on trading platforms or other fiancial instruments, including RStudio. Other platforms may include things like Robinhood, a daytrading app, or setting up a small trading account on E-Trade. I think future students would find these resources and classes vaery valuable.