Build Your Finance Skillset | | |
Greetings!
Ready to strengthen your finance skill set and stand out in a competitive industry?
UConn's School of Business offers a range of opportunities—both inside and outside the classroom—to help you build financial acumen, gain hands-on experience, and connect with industry professionals. Whether you’re exploring finance for the first time or preparing for your next internship, the resources below can help you take the next step in your journey.
Explore these opportunities and start building the skills that will set you apart in the world of business and finance.
Beth Williams
Student Experience Specialist,
Stamford campus
| | | BUILD YOUR FINANCE FUNDAMENTALS | | |
Master the tools and technical skills employers value most. Develop technical and analytical skills using leading platforms.
If you're just starting to explore finance, start with Forage, a low-risk, virtual program where you can explore career path and practice real finance tasks.
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A Bloomberg Terminal is a software platform that gives users real-time access to financial data, news, trading tools, and analytics. It is widely used by professionals in finance, economics, and business. The terminal can also facilitate trade placements and act as a messaging platform.
There are Bloomberg terminals within the School of Business at Storrs and in the Business Connections Learning Community at Belden Hall, as well as the Downtown Hartford GBLC and Stamford campuses.
UConn students can access three Bloomberg certifications and several courses on the basics of investing, different career paths in finance, the risks involved, 100+ functions on the Bloomberg terminal, and more. These courses are great resume builders and can be done ANYTIME and ANYWHERE.
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Wall Street Prep offers practical, self-paced finance courses designed to give you the skills top investment banks, private equity firms, and hedge funds expect — before you even land the interview. Whether you're aiming for Wall Street or just want to master financial modeling and Excel, it's a powerful way to get ahead and stand out from the competition.
UConn's School of Business has a limited number of seats in Wall Street Prep which are given out to interested students each semester. Applications are now open!
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Capital IQ Certification
This certification is a “day in the life” simulation assessing how well students perform. Students take on a role as a Junior Analyst at a fictional company and reply to a series of emails and communications that require their input. How well they respond to, prioritize, and dive into the challenges of their role will determine their success. Students will utilize the Capital IQ platform data to provide recommendations to fictional coworkers.
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Forage offers free virtual work experiences from top companies like JPMorgan, BCG, and Lululemon, giving you a chance to explore careers, build real-world skills, and boost your resume — all on your own schedule. It’s a low-pressure way to figure out what you like, gain skills, and stand out to employers before you even graduate.
Gain certification from companies in your field of interest and skills online.
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PARTICIPATE IN REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES
FROM THE CLASSROOM
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These programs combine real-world investing experience with academic coursework, allowing students to apply classroom learning directly to financial decision-making.
Many of these programs are application based and recruit students during specific times of the year. Be on the lookout for the applications through the weekly LAUNCH List.
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CFA Level I Exam Preparation - FNCE 4895
This one credit course is open to Stamford and Hartford students that are Junior or Senior standing and are majoring in Finance, Financial Management, or related field starting in Spring 2026.
Gain a structured overview and guided study for the CFA Level I exam. Students will learn the format, content, and strategies necessary for success. Emphasis is placed on aligning undergraduate coursework with the CFA Institute curriculum and developing disciplined study habits. This course does not replace self-study but enhances it through targeted support and peer accountability.
Course Objectives:
• Understand the CFA Level I exam structure, ethics, and registration process.
• Develop a realistic study schedule tailored to the CFA curriculum.
• Review core topics including Quantitative Methods, Financial Reporting, Economics, and Ethics.
• Practice using CFA-style multiple-choice questions.
• Gain familiarity with CFA Institute Learning Outcome Statements (LOS).
• Engage in peer discussions and accountability sessions.
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CFA Mentorship - BUSN 1801
This 1-credit online elective course will enhance your understanding of finance and is intended for UConn Hartford and Stamford Financial Management majors.
Students will be paired with a professional Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) through the CFA Society who will serve as a mentor. CFA charter holders occupy a range of investment decision-making roles, typically as a research analyst or portfolio manager.
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Hillside Ventures is UConn's premier student-run venture fund, providing students with hands-on experience in venture capital under the mentorship of seasoned professors who bring decades of industry expertise. With a mission to empower students to source, evaluate, and invest in high-potential startups while managing real capital, Hillside combines academic rigor with practical, experiential learning.
UConn's Real Estate Investment Fund focuses on learning by investing in live real estate deals. Students manage a live real estate fund, making real investment decisions with industry professionals and partners. Students gain hands-on experience in sourcing deals, analyzing markets, and managing a portfolio. The program integrates UConn alumni and industry partners, who serve as mentors and guest lecturers.
*only available to Storrs based students
Hillside programs are application based.
Paired Academic Coursework: Students can take up to 18 credits of course work, with program director's consent in the order below:
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Interested students should take MENT/BADM 3741 as early as possible. Open to sophomores.
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Students progress through courses as they advance in the leadership of the fund: MENT/BADM 3742; MENT/BADM 4741 (repeatable); and MENT/BADM 4742 (repeatable).
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Institutional Asset Management - FNCE/MENT 4895
Offered in the Fall semester to Storrs students.
This course is for students of Sophomore standing or higher who are interested in learning about the asset management industry and financial markets.
Students will learn about the asset management industry from a business perspective, how decisions made inside asset management firms, and timely issues that are debated within the industry on an ongoing basis.
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The UConn Opportunity Fund was created to inspire and develop UConn School of Business students for careers in finance. Students take a series of 3 courses which are taught by a highly experienced professional institutional investor, with the goal of opening the doors to those who are typically underrepresented in the investment management industry and serve as a bridge between the classroom and Wall Street. The program is designed to make students job ready, preparing them to thrive in the real world of business and finance. The program also enhances students' leadership skills and communications capabilities.
*only available to Storrs based students
Paired Academic Coursework: Students in the Opportunity Fund take 3 courses as listed below:
- Building Blocks of Investment Analysis and Research (FNCE 4895, 3 credits), which builds a foundation in accounting, economics, finance, and capital markets.
- Students then apply their skills in Applied Investment Analysis (FNCE 4895, 3 credits), managing real university funds in the stock market. The final course, Advanced
- Investment Management (FNCE 4899, 1 credit), takes learning to the next level as students actively construct and adjust a live portfolio—mirroring the work of professional investors.
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The Student Managed Fund (SMF) provides UConn School of Business students with an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in fiduciary management of real investment assets. Currently, there are three undergraduate SMF teams – two teams in Storrs, one team in Stamford. Each SMF Team manages its own portfolio and is under the guidance of multiple Faculty Advisors and an external Board of Advisors with strong investment experience.
SMF is an application-based program. Interested students are recommended to start preparing as sophomores.
Paired Academic Coursework:
- Interested students should take FNCE 3101 as soon as eligible, see catalog for prerequisites, open to students as early as 4th term.
- FNCE 3302/3303 should be taken prior to or while applying to SMF.
- During SMF, which is for one academic year, students are required to take FNCE 4301 in the Fall and FNCE 4303 in the Spring.
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Connecticut Wealth Management Cohort
The School of Business has collaborated with Connecticut Wealth Management (CTWM) to give Business students a closer look at the wealth management industry.
See the full story here: UConn Today
Through this cohort, students have opportunities to:
- Connect directly with industry professionals and UCONN alumni
- Participate in on-campus networking events
- Learn firsthand how firms approach client service, financial planning, and investment strategy
- Explore pathways to internships and early career roles in wealth management
- Spring 2026: opportunity to apply for learning Emoney Software sponsored by CTWM
CTWM’s ongoing commitment helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and
real-world application: preparing students for meaningful, purpose-driven careers in the field.
Paired Academic Coursework: FNCE 3715 - This course is being restructured to focus on Financial Planning. Open only to business majors of junior or higher.
| | MICRO INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN FINANCE | Parker Dewey connects students with short-term, paid professional projects called Micro-Internships that can be done remotely and on your own schedule. It’s a great way to gain real-world experience, build your resume, explore different career paths, and get your foot in the door with top companies — no long-term commitment required. | |
FINANCE RESOURES
FROM THE BUSINESS LIBRARY
| | Stay up to date on market trends and insights with top finance podcasts and the UConn Libraries Business Subject Guide—a one-stop resource for databases, news, and research support. | | |
PODCAST RECCOMENDATIONS:
Careers in Finance
This podcast is designed specifically for students and young professionals exploring financial-services careers. It features industry experts who discuss how to enter and grow in the finance sector.
Breaking Into Finance
A podcast that covers everything you need to land a job in investment banking, private equity, venture capital or hedge funds — including the technical jargon, soft skills, and professional experiences.
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Business Subject Guide is a curated online resource created by the UConn Library for you! It’s designed to give business students access to the tools, databases, e-books, cases, datasets, and citation support specific to business research.
Use it to:
- Identify and understand the right Business databases for your needs
- Find books, articles, specialized information, data, and statistics easily
- Learn what citation styles are most useful for business research and writing
Bookmark the guide and use it for assignments and projects - the materials are all in one place.
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Join a UConn business student organization to sharpen your analytical, investing, and leadership skills while connecting with peers who share your career goals. Student organizations are one of the best ways to build the skills, network, and experience top employers look for.
Explore finance-focused student orgs like the Finance Society, Investment Club, or Financial Management Club to gain real-world insights, mentorship, and gain confidence in your financial skill set.
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UConn students can join the Forte Foundation free of charge to:
- Attend workshops, webinars, and professional-development programs.
- Connect with business leaders and corporate partners
- Gain career-ready skills & confidence: access resources that help you prepare for internships and full-time roles.
- Stand out on your résumé
- Use UConn's student ambassador code Abb27 when you sign up!
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The Economist
The Economist is an American daily newspaper based in London. The Economist covers economics, business, geopolitics, technology and culture, investigative reports, and reviews.
Steps to Activate
- Click the "Activate Now" button
- Select "Espresso: Free for Students"
- Click Sign Up for Free" and complete all required fields; you must use your UConn email
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Financial Times
Sign up for free and see reporting from 700+ journalists on FT.com and apps. There are newsletters covering corporate finance to sustainability and in-depth special reports on industries and countries.
Steps to Activate
- Click the "Activate Now" button
- You must log in with your NetID and password to activate
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The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is a global news organization that provides leading news, information, commentary, and analysis on business, finance, politics, and world news, along with content on career development, technology, and culture. Published by Dow Jones, it holds 38 Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding journalism.
Steps to Activate
- Click the "Activate Now" button
- Select "Continue to WSJ" and fill out all required fields using your UConn email
- Verify your account via the confirmation email
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The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. The New York Times covers domestic, national, and international, news and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews.
Steps to Activate
- Click the "Activate Now" button
- Select "Create Account" and complete all required fields; you must use your UConn email
- Verify your account via the confirmation email
| | Want to explore topics further or discover more ways to engage? Don't hesitate to email us at undergrad.business@uconn.edu for individual support! | | | | |