Earlier this month, members of the Saluki Student Investment Fund (SSIF) traveled to New York City for a hands-on trip to some of the biggest names in finance. Two of the students who went, Brooke Veldhuizen and Tanner Trachsel, shared what they learned and what made the trip special.
Dow Jones
They kicked off their trip with a subway ride to Dow Jones, where they were welcomed with snacks and refreshments. Dow Jones shared a detailed overview of the firm’s history and operations. “They also went over Barron’s and MarketWatch –two platforms that we are actively enrolled in as SSIF students that give us valuable financial information and news,” wrote Brooke. They then had the chance to ask questions. “This was so intriguing, because we got to understand their perspectives on newly developed technologies like AI and how it could potentially impact financial journalism,” wrote Brooke. “One of the coolest parts was hearing from a specialist on their social media team who shared how short, vertical news is becoming more and more popular and how they are adapting to this trend,” wrote Tanner. After the Q&A, the group toured the Dow Jones office. “We toured the office, observing everyone in their element, and getting to see what it would be like to work in a financial newsroom,” Brooke wrote.
Bloomberg Tower
Then they headed to Bloomberg Tower, where the group was issued ID badges with their names and pictures on them, making them instantly feel important. Then they were taken to “a massive snack floor”, according to Tanner, where they grabbed some refreshments before the tour and Tanner said he tried at least 4 types of coffee. Brooke was more impressed by the terminals, she stated “We then were able to see the evolution of the Bloomberg terminal itself – which was so intriguing to see how it has changed since it was first created.”
They also got some insight into their tour guide’s favorite functions on the terminals. “This was especially exciting for all of us, as we use these terminals on a weekly, if not daily, basis to further our research and financial analysis within the fund,” said Brooke. Tanner added that the team even shared some new features still in Beta. “They then explained some cool new functions of the Bloomberg Terminal in the Beta stage,” he said, giving the group a sneak peek at innovations not yet widely available. Then they headed up to the 29th floor for a view of the city and, of course, more snacks.
Exploring the City
The group also had time to explore the city, visiting iconic locations like Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the 9/11 Memorial. Another highlight was the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street, favorite spots for these finance majors. “And, of course, I couldn’t resist the food scene. I made sure to stop at nearly every food vendor I passed by,” writes Tanner.
This trip was a great opportunity to connect their classroom learning with real-life experiences. “It was an eye-opening experience that solidified my career goals and gave me a greater appreciation for the financial world,” Tanner said. It’s opportunities like this that set SIU apart, giving students not just knowledge, but real-world experiences and lasting friendships.
