Student Opportunities

Financial Economics Sequence

The Financial Economics Sequence (FES) is part of the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance. The curriculum of the Sequence is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in the financial sector and/or graduate education in economics, finance, and related fields.

About the FES & Requirements

What is Financial Economics?

Financial economics is a discipline concerned with determining value and making decisions. Major topics include pricing financial assets, financing corporations, portfolio management, evaluating financial risks, banks and financial intermediation, corporate governance, and financial market regulation. Knowledge of modern finance is crucial for those looking for a greater understanding of topics in economics and public policy, such as exchange rate determination, international capital flows, monetary and fiscal policy, and financial reform in developing economies, regulation, and antitrust policy.

 

Financial Economics Sequence Requirements:

The FES requires a minimum of 5 courses:

1. Prerequisites

 

2. Core Financial Courses (2 courses)

And one course selected from:

NOTE: * Undergraduate students may register for the FIN courses listed in any semester when the ECON course is not offered.

 

3. Electives (3 courses)

At least 3 courses, selected from:

Economics

Mathematics

Drucker School of Management, CGU

  • MGT 339  CG – Financial Derivatives
  • MGT 373  CG – Financial Strategy & Policy
  • MGT 402  CG – Asset Management Practicum
  • MGT 475  CG – Fixed Income

 

4. Research Project

Students must complete, present, and defend a major research project in the area of financial economics. The project may be the student’s senior thesis, which is also a general education requirement. Students who use the senior thesis for this requirement must register for the one-half credit research seminar course (ECON 180 CM  –  Seminar in Research Methods). Students must present and defend their research at the end of the semester in which they complete their research work.

 

For more information, visit the CMC Catalog.

Student Research Analyst Internships

FEI Research Analyst Interns prepare and analyze databases, program, manage the FEI website, and perform administrative work for the Institute. In addition, students work with faculty members on a variety of empirically-based research projects.

FEI Student Research Analyst internships are available during the academic year and in the summer. The application form for internships during the academic year are accepted at the start of each semester and summer internship applications are due in the middle of the spring semester.

CMC Student Investment Fund

The Claremont McKenna College Student Investment Fund (CMC SIF) was founded in 1974 when an alumnus of the college donated approximately $500 in securities. His intention was to give qualified students an opportunity to learn the basics of investment management using a “trial by fire” approach while creating value for the college’s endowment.

 

 

 

The fund has grown substantially since its inception and the CMC SIF now manages approximately $2,100,000 of the Claremont McKenna College endowment.

The CMC SIF aims to earn risk-adjusted excess returns above the benchmark index while providing students with the opportunity to learn about investing in a pre-professional setting. Their main goal is to prepare all students for successful careers in investment related fields, and senior management bears the responsibility of actively promoting the career development of junior members.

Networking

Annual New York City Networking Trek

Each year, FEI and the Robert Day Scholars Program sponsors a trip to New York during the final week of the winter break. Nine juniors and nine sophomores travel to New York to visit firms representative of different sectors of the financial industry, connect with industry professionals and CMC alumni. Application can be found on Handshake.

On-Campus Networking Opportunities

Financial Economic Institute students have numerous opportunities to meet financial industry professionals through at FEI Events, as Research Analysts, and through the Cascade Asset Management Fellowship.

Cascade Fellowship Program

The Cascade/Michael Larson Asset Management Fellowship Program is designed to support juniors and seniors at Claremont McKenna College who are interested in studies and careers involving asset management and investment management.  The program provides $15,000 fellowships annually in the form of merit awards to qualified students who display an interest in investment management. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 5 economics and/or mathematics classes and have a cumulative 10.00 GPA in those classes. Recipients of the fellowships may choose to work as Research Assistant in the FEI Lab at an enhanced rate working with an economics and/or mathematics department faculty member on an investment-related research project.  Applications will be circulated in March.

Cascade/Michael Larson Asset Management Fellows AY 2023-2024:

  • John Horan ’25
  • Kamila Melikova ’24
  • Rachana Muvvala ’24
  • Jenna Rempel ’24
  • Zara Vakath ’24
  • Yahya Yousef ’25

FEI Tutoring Program

During the Fall 2023 semester, the FEI will be providing tutoring in the FEI Lab, located in Bauer 323, for the following:

Bloomberg tutoring

Zara Vakath ’24, ZVakath24@cmc.edu

By appointment only

 

Capital IQ tutoring

Kamila Melikova ’24, Kmelikova24@cmc.edu, Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00pm-8:00pm, and by appointment.

 

 

 

Excel Tutoring and Interview Coaching

Yahya Yousef ’25, YaaYousef25@cmc.edu, Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00pm-10:00pm, Tuesdays 5:00pm-7:00pm and by appointment.

 

Caden Rogers ’25, CRogers25@cmc.edu, Thursdays and Sundays 5:00pm-7:00pm, and by appointment.