#United States #New Brunswick #Rutgers Business School #Road to Wall Street #Laetitia Park

Rutgers Business School's Road to Wall Street Program: A Pathway to Finance Careers

For many students pursuing a career in finance, the journey often begins with uncertainty and apprehension. However, Laetitia Park, a senior at Rutgers Business School, has transformed her initial feelings of intimidation into leadership and mentorship thanks to the institution's Road to Wall Street Program (RTWS). This selective program, now in its twelfth year, is designed to prepare undergraduate students for successful careers in financial markets through a variety of real-world experiences and extensive networking opportunities.

Laetitia entered Rutgers as a freshman, unsure of her place among her talented peers. Yet, her involvement in the RTWS not only built her confidence but also equipped her with foundational financial knowledge. “When I started at Rutgers Business School, I felt overwhelmed and was slightly intimidated by the caliber of students,” Park reflected. Despite her initial doubts, she has embraced her role as a mentor to others, finding joy in guiding students just starting their academic journeys.

Currently, Laetitia serves as one of the two student assistant directors of the RTWS program. Her responsibilities are vast, including planning introductory workshops for freshmen, overseeing recruitment efforts, and aiding participants in fine-tuning their resumes and networking with industry professionals. The program's ultimate goal is to ensure that 100% of its participants secure internships, with many going on to obtain full-time positions after graduation. Laetitia is a perfect example of this success; she has accepted a full-time role as an investment banking analyst at TD Securities following a fruitful internship with the firm last summer.

According to Ken Freeman, a finance professor and managing director of RTWS, Laetitia embodies the qualities that make the program thrive. He describes her as possessing “incredible talent and potential,” and acknowledges her thoughtful contributions to the program, particularly through her insightful questions and recommendations. “She is very thoughtful, and that comes through in the questions she asks and the recommendations she gives to students in the program,” Freeman said.

The RTWS program emphasizes crucial components such as mentoring, networking, and internships, making it a cornerstone of Rutgers Business School's offerings. Park has particularly enjoyed participating in Wall Street bank tours, where students can connect with alumni and gain firsthand insights into the competitive environment of financial service careers. “You really get a feel for it,” Park said.

Laetitia’s interest in business was sparked early on; she grew up watching her father manage a travel agency, which piqued her curiosity about the broader financial landscape. This curiosity played a significant role in her decision to apply to Rutgers Business School, particularly drawn to the RTWS program.

The program has a structured approach to mentorship, assigning each student three mentors during their sophomore year. This includes an upperclassman, a recent graduate, and a seasoned professional from Wall Street. The support network provided by the program has been invaluable to Laetitia, especially during the rigorous recruitment process. Her mentors offered critical feedback on her resume, conducted mock interviews, and enlightened her about their respective career paths.

In addition to her mentoring role, Laetitia has been actively involved in various campus organizations. As the senior vice president of the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, she organized recruitment events, contributing to the professional development of her peers. She is also a senior analyst for the Rutgers Student Managed Fund, managing investments exceeding $300,000. For Laetitia, the Road to Wall Street Program has been the bedrock of her undergraduate experience, providing her with a comprehensive toolkit essential for thriving in any professional setting.

As the application deadline for Rutgers Business School approaches, Laetitia continues to advocate for the program's significance. “Rutgers is such a big place but RBS and especially the Road to Wall Street Program provide a community of students and alumni with close connections,” she emphasizes. “There's a camaraderie you can't find anywhere else.” Students interested in the finance sector would do well to consider this transformative program that paves the way for future leaders in the industry.