Student sails north for “amazing” job
Six or so years ago, Katelyn Haley wasn’t sure if she was even going to go to college. She was looking for direction. This summer, she will pack up all she owns and head north on I-95 to Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, to begin a job she was offered nine months earlier.
“I did not see this coming [back then],” Haley said. “I’m proud of what I’ve done – especially being willing to step outside of my comfort zone.”
Haley said she came to East Carolina University and the College of Business because she had heard of the COB’s good reputation. However, she didn’t feel like she fit in at all her freshman year and was just going through the motions. But that all changed her sophomore year when she took a chance and got involved in the investment club.
“Financial markets have always been really fascinating to me. They’re extremely dynamic, and it’s one of those areas where there’s always something new to learn,” Haley said.
This effort would change her trajectory. Haley started getting more and more involved, which led to more opportunities and she meeting some of her closest friends. Haley joined the Financial Management Association, participated in DECA (a global student group for entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, hospitality and management) and then got embedded with the Blacksail Fund. She found her niche.
“The organization that means the most to me, and takes up the majority of my time, is Blacksail, where I am a managing director of one of the teams,” Haley said.
Being a leader isn’t something that was on Haley’s radar four years ago. But applying what she learned in class, combined with her engagement with the student groups, gave her an opportunity to have leadership positions, including as the treasurer of FMA.
“My leadership skills are still developing, but like working with the financial markets, I continue to adapt,” Haley said.
The COB’s formula for student success has students using what they learn in class and applying it immediately by getting involved – which is what Haley did. The next step in that formula is to get out there and network – which Haley did. She went on group trips to Captrust and Fidelity Investments in the Triangle with the Investment Club. That led to an internship with Fidelity last summer. Haley said that internship directly led to her job offer from “Big Four” accounting firm KPMG, where she will be a valuation associate in the economic valuation services practice.
“I was offered the job in October when I was in Florida with my sister on vacation,” Haley said with a smile. “They said that they loved me and wanted me to be a part of their team. It felt really good.”
With graduation approaching, Haley spends most of her free time analyzing financial reports, industry reports, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, so that she can add to the success of the Blacksail Fund.
“Through researching companies, building investment theses, and discussing ideas with the team, I’ve developed skills that translate directly to what I’ll be doing after graduation as a valuation associate, analyzing businesses, and understanding their financial performance,” Haley said.
Blacksail is a student-managed investment fund where students invest real money into the stock market. Not only is this a real-time, real-world experience while still in college, but the money students make helps pay for student travel, like trips to Captrust and Fidelity Investments.
“The pressure makes it fun … you can’t predict the future and can’t control it, despite all of the research and knowledge that you put into it,” Haley said.
Haley said she is relieved to have been offered and accepted a job months before graduating, especially landing an “amazing job with an amazing company.” However, her journey wasn’t without a ton of determination. She said she applied to over 100 jobs. Haley said she can attribute her success to taking action.
“I hope younger students, especially young women, see that it’s important to get involved early and not be afraid to step outside of their comfort zone,” she said.