Finance Majors Dive into Experiential Learning with Research Challenge

In today’s dynamic business landscape, theoretical knowledge alone isn’t sufficient to prepare students for the challenges they’ll face in their careers. Faculty in Capital’s School of Management and Leadership understand the importance of experiential learning in shaping well-rounded professionals ready to thrive in the real world. 

An annual global equity research competition, the CFA Institute Research Challenge provides students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. In 2023, the CFA Institute Research Challenge welcomed more than 6,200 students from nearly 100 countries.

“The CFA Institute Research Challenge was an excellent opportunity in which we were assigned a local publicly traded company and were tasked with deciding an investment decision regarding the company’s stock,” said Colin McComb ’24, financial economics.

“I decided to participate as I felt that I would be gaining valuable real-world experience that could differentiate me as a future professional and allow me to gain a valuable perspective prior to my entrance into the industry.”

Capital’s team was led by Saurav Roychoudhury, Ph.D., professor of Business. During the challenge, students develop crucial skills such as analytical thinking, valuation techniques, report writing, and presentation skills. 

“The experience was a great opportunity for our students,” said Ryan Rieder, M.A., dean, School of Management and Leadership. “We hope that this highly regarded competition was a valuable experience for our students as they prepare themselves for careers in finance or investment management.” 

As a global competition, the CFA Institute Research Challenge provides students with exposure to different markets, industries, and cultures, thus broadening their perspectives and understanding of the global finance landscape. 

“I felt that it was important to bring Capital University back to this challenge. I wanted to be a part of elevating the reputation of our university both academically and professionally. I believe that we certainly did so, and I enhanced my technical skillset, strengthened my networking skills, and developed a firm understanding of what I will possibly be doing in the future,” said McComb. 

Across Capital’s majors in finance, accounting, marketing, and business management, the SOML provides hands-on experiences that empower students to excel and innovate. 

For example, marketing students work with actual clients to gain firsthand experience in developing marketing strategies and executing campaigns. Business management majors are strongly encouraged to complete an internship, and accounting students foster practical skills through the Business Activity Model Interstate Competition. 

Experiential learning lies at the heart of Capital’s philosophy. As the university continues to evolve and innovate, it remains committed to empowering the next generation of business leaders through experiential learning.