A Summer That Changed Everything
Written by Emmanuel Enriquez
My name is Emmanuel Enriquez and I am a finance major at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). I am very passionate about the financial markets and am eager to start my hands-on learning process as soon as possible.
The Greenwood Project College Scholar program has given me the opportunity to enhance my skills in finance, which has helped me form a clearer vision of my career path.
Greenwood Project, it seemed too good to be true. The only cost of the program is your dedication, hard work, and respect for your peers/mentors. The Greenwood Project provides the resources, education, and opportunities needed to launch a career in financial services.
There are many opportunities to meet senior leaders, to get exposure to the most exciting professional opportunities, and to be in places that most people will never be able to visit in their lifetime (such as the NYSE).
We asked Emmanuel a few questions about his experience with Greenwood Project this summer.
Q: What did you enjoy the most about the program?
As part of the Greenwood Lunch and Learn series, we met countless financial services professionals from a variety of firms, which was both a very insightful and eye-opening experience. We met firms such as Morgan Stanley, Citadel, BMO, William Blair, and many more.
Additionally, I really enjoyed doing Excel training with Training The Street. Utilizing Excel for the stock pitch was an excellent educational experience, along with having access to the Bloomberg LP Terminal for the entirety of the summer. Thanks to Greenwood's partnership with Charles Schwab, I am expected to take the SIE exam in November 2022. Navy Pier's Greenwood Day was a great way to top off the program with my fellow interns.
Q: After your summer Greenwood project, how large is your professional network?
I had about 20 LinkedIn connections before I came to Greenwood. Currently, I have about 450 connections. My profile has been viewed more often than ever before. My internship with Piper Sandler allowed me to meet a lot of great people, and I am very grateful for the opportunity. It was an honor to connect with leaders such as Deb Schoneman, President of Piper Sandler. For me and my fellow Greenwood scholars, meeting Hayes Bynum who works at Piper Sandler was a particularly memorable experience.
Q: If you had to give yourself feedback, where do you feel you excelled during the program?
The two areas in which I excelled most were excel training and networking. Also, since the Greenwood Project prepares students for real-world careers, professionalism is a non-negotiable expectation, and I made an effort to be as professional as possible each day.
I am very excited and proud to announce that Piper Sandler has offered me a return offer for summer 2023. I will also be joining their Connecticut office over the winter break.
It is a pleasure to work with the Greenwood Project staff because they are very respectful and passionate about helping young adults succeed in the financial industry. Greenwood Project has had a profound impact on my family and my life. Thank you so much.
Emmanuel Enriquez - GP Class of 2022
