#20 - SOF Student Panel #1: From Stigma & Stereotype to Purpose & Passion – 4 Student Perspectives on Pursuing Careers in Finance

In our first-ever student panel, our CEO Ross Overline spoke with several Scholars of Finance members from the Princeton, MIT, and UC Berkeley chapters. “One finance club I joined had a party culture – it was toxic and snaky, and instead of encouraging community, it made me feel alone,” said one panelist. “It made me reconsider and almost give up on the finance industry because I wasn’t comfortable. The culture turned good people away.” “But the truth about finance,” another student said in this episode, “is that you can be ethical, hold your values close to your heart, reach the top and use your position to do good and be admired for it.” Throughout the conversation, our panelists attested to the impact SOF has had on their pursuit of positive, values-driven, inclusive finance cultures. “The people I’m around in SOF help me have more hope,” said one student. “This community encourages and motivates us to stay true to our values.” This episode is packed with first-hand student stories and perspectives covering: 1. the diverse finance cultures at their universities, and how they found like-minded, mission-driven peers and avoided toxicity through SOF 2. the finance industry and its reputation at their campuses, and how they have been navigating the recruiting process to find values-driven opportunities 3. the intersections between pursuing finance and social impact, ranging from helping their extended families overseas to driving inclusive change within the industry As another student panelist said, “I’m most looking forward to starting a domino effect to help others achieve the best versions of themselves, because it takes a village to achieve what we want to do.” We hope this conversation – packed with authentic insights from SOF student members – tips a domino for you in your own pursuit of a purpose & passion-driven career. Episode Segments: 00:00 - Intro 02:09 - Background on student panelists 10:16 - Finance culture at different schools 27:15 - Student perspectives on finance industry and recruiting 34:28 - The impact our members hope to make in finance 41:21 - How SOF has impacted our members