WiB x Smart Women Securities on Wednesday!

April 17, 2022 Isenberg WiB

Happy Sunday!

We hope you are all having a great long weekend! Due to having no classes on Monday, we will be having our next meeting this Wednesday. Please note that we will NOT be meeting in Flavin on Wednesday - but instead, Isenberg Room 210 (second floor in the atrium).

This Wednesday, April 20th, at 7pm in Isenberg 210 (2nd floor in the atrium), we will be teaming up with Smart Women Securities, a finance club here at UMass, who will be presenting to us about personal finances and how to manage them as a young professional and college student! This will be a very useful meeting for everyone - you don't want to miss it!

We will be live streaming on Zoom for our virtual members to attend:

Zoom Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/92299580036
Meeting ID: 922 9958 0036

Headshot Fundraiser - We will be holding another opportunity for you to get your headshots taken! This will be open to everyone - so tell your friends! Everyone needs a good headshot for their LinkedIn! It will be on Friday, April 22nd in the Isenberg Hub from 1 - 3pm and is $5 for everyone including WiB members.

Why WiB Wednesday - Fill out this form to be featured on the Instagram for "Why WiB Wednesday"! We want to show off our members by sharing what they love most about being a part of WiB!

Committee Sign-Ups and Reminders:

Fundraising Committee - To sign up for the fundraising committee, click here!
Community Service Committee - Please sign up here for the community service committee! Our next meeting will be April 27th at 7:00 PM, where we will be signing up for Not Bread Alone and doing some fun activities!
Marketing Committee - Sign up here for the marketing committee. Our last meeting for the semester will be held on April 21st!

Be sure to follow our social media accounts for more frequent updates, Instagram specifically (@IsenbergWiB), and check out our website here!

Additional Opportunities

Minutemen Fixed Income FundThe Minutemen Fixed Income Fund (MFIF) is a group of ~25 students who attend tri-weekly meetings which focus on the fundamentals of credit research, financial modeling (LBO, M&A, DCF), and professional development. Junior Analysts are paired with Senior Analysts for one-on-one mentorship and support. Our Analysts develop high yield credit research reports and pitch their investment recommendations to the Fund. We seek to prepare our members for competitive roles in Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Equity/Credit Research, and more. It is important to note that almost all of our members start out with little to no knowledge about fixed income investing, yet quickly develop the essential skills needed to land jobs in the aforementioned career paths. Applications Due TONIGHT, Sunday, April 17th @ 11:59PM Please visit their website for more details and to apply.
Minutemen Equity Fund
The Minutemen Equity Fund is now accepting applications! We invite freshmen and sophomores of all majors who are interested in joining our Fall 2022 junior analyst class to apply by midnight on April 18th. The Minutemen Equity Fund is a student-run investment fund managing a $400,000 AUM portfolio with a long-only value strategy. The fund's analysts work in a junior/senior analyst pair to cover each sector of our portfolio, continually monitoring our existing holdings and presenting new investment ideas. Analysts learn equity research, financial modeling, and other skills related to successful coverage of their sector, as well as networking and recruiting skills to pursue their desired internship roles. Please see the following link to find the application on our website. Feel free to reach out to our leadership team or email address if you have any questions!

Female Founders: Meet The Women Behind JJ Media
Join the UMass PR Club on Tuesday, April 19 at 6 p.m. in the Journalism Hub (fourth floor of ILC) to hear from the founders of JJ Media, Janelle Driscoll and Jojo Gutfarb. Janelle and Jojo will be discussing their experience as female business owners. JJ Media is a Boston-based public relations agency focusing on media, marketing and management, particularly for sport-related clientele. The co-founders bring a combined 20 years of industry experience with clients ranging from the Bill Belichick Foundation and professional athletes to Boston’s best celebrity hair stylists. They will be discussing the obstacles and triumphs from their experiences as founders. There will be a Q&A portion at the end so come with any questions. We can’t wait to see you there!
Please feel free to reach out to umassprclub@gmail.com or agigandet@umass.edu with any questions. Please RSVP to the meeting via Eventbrite.

Isenberg Undergraduate Consulting Group
The Isenberg Undergraduate Consulting Group is the premier strategy consulting organization within the University of Massachusetts, operated entirely by students. Since the Group was founded in 2015, IUCG has tackled strategy and operations challenges for over 20 Fortune 500, multi-billion-dollar, startup, and nonprofit clients. The Group leverages its expertise to provide impactful recommendations for its clients and an engaging experience for its members, empowering IUCG’ers with a robust, generalist problem-solving toolkit that is applicable for professions ranging from consulting to high finance, to software engineering – and anything in between! Email isenbergucg@umass.edu or reach out to any IUCG’er with additional questions! Also, follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with upcoming events and other announcements! Apply here! For more information, click here.

Youth Marketing Connection
YMC is looking for outgoing, confident, technology-savvy and well-connected students to join the first-ever Samsung College Program team this year. You do not have to be a current Samsung user to be eligible for this role! There are two different opportunities available for the Samsung College Program at University of Massachusetts - Amherst. Ambassador: Creates weekly Instagram Story content, Creates monthly Instagram in-feed posts (static image or Reels), Executes 2 on-campus events with your fellow campus ambassador, Hosts ongoing group visits, Weekly commitment approx 8-10 hrs/wk. Influencer: Creates weekly Instagram Story content, Creates biweekly Instagram in-feed posts or TikToks, Weekly commitment ranges between 1 - 2 hrs/wk. Both positions will get hooked up with the latest and greatest Samsung product as well as receive a generous cash stipend. You can read more details about each role and apply here. If you have any questions about the position or application process, please reach out to samsungprogram@youthmarketing.com.

Temasek Information Sessions

Women Fireside Chat (Click here for more information): We will be hosting the event on 19 May 2022, 6:00pm - 7:00pm ET. Our speakers will be offering their perspectives and insights as female leaders in finance. They will be sharing with you on the skills necessary to succeed in the industry and in having a fulfilling career with Temasek. This event will be held online and is open to all female students currently matriculated in US universities across all years of study.

STEM Fireside Chat (Click here for more information): We will be hosting the event on 26 May 2022, 6:00pm - 7:00pm ET. Our speakers will be sharing their experiences on how they navigated their career paths in finance as individuals from STEM backgrounds, why they chose to pursue Finance instead of following their degrees, and how their STEM background helps in their current role as an investor. This event will be held online and is open to all STEM students currently matriculated in US universities across all years of study. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at sohum_shah@berkeley.edu.

Tips for Interviews

April 15, 2022 Isenberg WiB

By: Sarah Henderson

If you’re like me, interviews make you very nervous, and might just be the most dreadful part of the hiring process. First, remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous—most people do. Plus, it means that you care about the position you’re interviewing for. But to make the whole process a little easier, here are some tips for before, during, and after an interview!

Before the interview:

Before your interview begins, it is important to give yourself enough time to prepare. Researching the company, such as what products or services they provide, the history of their founding, and their values, is helpful for preparing possible questions to ask and showing the interviewer that you have knowledge about the company. I also find it helpful to review common interview questions and tailor them to fit the position I am applying for (i.e. “Why do you want to work here?” or “What makes you a good fit for this position?”). If you think you need more help, you can make an appointment with a Career Coach at the Chase Career Center to perfect your responses, or go through some sample questions with a friend. I also like to refamiliarize myself with the details of the position to make sure I don’t ask any questions that have already been answered in the job description and to know what to expect overall. Doing this makes me feel much more secure and prepared, but if I am still nervous about the interview, I do my best to stay calm and clear my mind. Sometimes I find that it’s best to do something relaxing, like listening to music and taking a walk. In the few minutes right before the interview begins, I usually review my notes but definitely avoid frantically doing more research. Also, don’t forget to choose an outfit in advance that will make you feel confident and professional, and make sure you have the correct time and location for the interview.

During the interview:

During the interview, I always try to make sure to stay present. Sometimes, my nerves will distract me or I will overthink my answers, which prevents me from listening to the interviewer and focusing on answering the current question. Be confident in your answers as well—sometimes if an interviewer asks you a difficult question, the most important thing they are looking for is how you answer it, not what your actual answer is. One of the best methods for answering interview questions, mainly behavioral questions, is the STAR method. Also, remember that interviews can be conversational; they don’t have to be intimidating or something to be afraid of. Towards the end of the interview when you are asked if you have any questions, be sure to ask a few! It shows that you are interested in learning more about the position. To ensure that your questions are unique and interesting, prepare a few beforehand that you may already be wondering about, and ask any questions that come up during the interview. Not only will this impress the interviewer, but it will help you decide if you want the position!

After the interview:

First and foremost, give yourself a reward! When I know that after an interview I’m going to be able to do something I enjoy, it can be very motivating and it gives me something to look forward to. You deserve to relax after a possibly-stressful interview. Another thing I like to do is take note of what I did well during the interview and what I think I should improve on, since I’m still trying to improve my own interview skills. Don’t dwell on it if it doesn't go as well as you had hoped or be discouraged from trying again; if nothing else, it was an opportunity to practice and know how to improve in the future. Doing this, along with noting certain questions that you want to prepare a better answer for next time, will also help if you get another interview at the same company. Many people also send thank you notes after interviews as another way to stand out!

Most importantly, remember to be yourself, and don’t be afraid to brag a little and show off your skills! Good luck to everyone with your interviews in the future, you’ll be amazing!

Shein: Now Worth More than Zara and H&M Combined

April 14, 2022 Caroline Tierney

We all know and probably love the fashion brand Shein for its cheap prices and the vast array of fashion selections. If you’re anything like me, you always go through a moral dilemma when clicking checkout on Shein’s website. The little red devil on my shoulder whispers, “It’s just one purchase, look how cheap it is!”. Meanwhile, the angel on my other shoulder whispers, “Don’t do it, think about what you’re contributing to, the sweatshops, cheap child labor, and much more”.

Now more than ever, there’s all the more reason to scale back your Shein and other fast fashion purchases. Shein recently hosted a massive fundraising event, as if they need any more money with annual revenues coming in at $10 billion… At this event, widely known private equity investment firm, General Atlantic, along with other massive investment firms, gave Shein between $1 and $2 billion dollars. To me, this signals that investment firms think three things:

They think Shein will be the leader of the cheap fashion arena for a LONG time.
They like Shein’s low price, wholesale business model.
They didn’t stop for a second to consider Shein’s direct impact on the world’s climate issues. A company like Shein, which is now worth $100 billion dollars, simply does not need major donations.

As a business major, I can’t help but think about Shein’s current business model. Shein has established relationships with over 3000 factories in China, which enables the company to release 1000 new products on their website per day. Shein also has advanced data tools that measure the styles that perform the best on their site and churn out more of those successful products the following day. In theory, this business model is incredibly attractive from an investor standpoint. But when you consider all other aspects, like the state of these 3000 factories, the people working in these factories, the conditions and wages, and the waste that is created, Shein becomes way less attractive as a business. But if these investment firms are still donating billions of dollars to Shein, despite the company’s terrible environmental impact, it just goes to show that corporations do not care about issues like climate change and global warming.

In recent years, I thought, as a global economy, we have made some headway in corporations acting more eco-conscious. But after Shein’s donation event, I am not so sure. To put it into perspective, Shein is now worth more than Zara and H&M combined. Shein is almost as valuable as Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Oh, and not to mention, Shein’s app was downloaded more times than Amazon’s shopping app. Shein is a powerhouse, for better or for worse, and with all these donations they recently acquired, I only foresee Shein continuing to dominate the fash fashion space

What does this mean for people like you and me? In simple terms, think twice before ordering from Shein. The prices are great, but the social and environmental cost is far greater than that $4 crop top sitting in your shopping cart. Please think before purchasing from Shein, they are an incredibly harmful company, and are doing nothing to change their ways. Supporting smaller businesses, and eco-friendly clothing companies is always the way to go, plus these companies tend to have better quality products that last much longer.

Source

WiB x Smart Women Securities Next Meeting!

April 13, 2022 Isenberg WiB

Happy Wednesday!

Thank you to everyone who came to this Monday's meeting with Professor Charlie Johnson, who shared advice on how to be an advocate for yourself and navigate job offers regarding salary and other negotiables!

Please keep in mind that we will be having next week's meeting on Wednesday!

Next Wednesday, April 20th, at 7pm in Isenberg 137 (Flavin Auditorium), we will be teaming up with Smart Women Securities, a finance club here at UMass, who will be presenting to us about personal finances and how to manage them as a young professional and college student! This will be a very useful meeting for everyone - you don't want to miss it!

We will be live streaming on Zoom for our virtual members to attend:

Zoom Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/92299580036
Meeting ID: 922 9958 0036

WiB Spring Fling - WiB Spring Fling will be held at Monkey Bar Amherst TOMORROW, Thursday, April 14th from 10:30pm to 1:00am! For those of you who have signed up, please be on the lookout for an email regarding waiver information. Please contact teleonard@umass.edu or achinai@umass.edu with any questions. We can’t wait to see you all there!

Why WiB Wednesday - Fill out this form to be featured on the Instagram for "Why WiB Wednesday"! We want to show off our members by sharing what they love most about being a part of WiB!

Committee Sign-Ups and Reminders:

Fundraising Committee - To sign up for the fundraising committee, click here! Our next meeting is tomorrow, April 14th at 6:00 PM, where we will be going over the headshot fundraiser!
Community Service Committee - Please sign up here for the community service committee! Our next meeting will be April 27th at 7:00 PM, where we will be signing up for Not Bread Alone and doing some fun activities!
Marketing Committee - Sign up here for the marketing committee. Our last meeting for the semester will be held on April 21st!

Watch Monday's Meeting by Clicking Here:

Additional Opportunities

Smart Women Securities
SWS is hosting an event TONIGHT, April 13th from 5:30 - 7:45 PM in Flavin Auditorium where they will have a screening of the documentary $AVVY and learn why it's critical for young women to understand and take control of their personal finances. Following the screening will be a live Q&A with Dean Anne Massey and the film's producer, Robin Hauser, which will be moderated by Smart Women Securities. Register here!

Minutemen Equity Fund
The Minutemen Equity Fund is now accepting applications! We invite freshmen and sophomores of all majors who are interested in joining our Fall 2022 junior analyst class to apply by midnight on April 18th. The Minutemen Equity Fund is a student-run investment fund managing a $400,000 AUM portfolio with a long-only value strategy. The fund's analysts work in a junior/senior analyst pair to cover each sector of our portfolio, continually monitoring our existing holdings and presenting new investment ideas. Analysts learn equity research, financial modeling, and other skills related to successful coverage of their sector, as well as networking and recruiting skills to pursue their desired internship roles. Please see the following link to find the application on our website. Feel free to reach out to our leadership team or email address if you have any questions!

Social and Study: You Can Have Both!

April 13, 2022 Isenberg WiB

By: Olivia Vadnais

One thing I was constantly worried about when it came to college was being able to balance my studies with my social life and making friends. I wanted to perform well in school but I also wanted to be able to reach out and make friends in a fun and exciting new environment. Comparing my first semester to now (with only four weeks left in my freshman year), I can see how my habits have changed and shifted for the better.

A part of my study habits that have helped me tremendously this semester versus last is the ability to develop a routine for my days in order to complete work. Last semester I felt uncomfortable being alone and trying to find a perfect place to study/work between classes so I would always waste time by going back to my room. However, I have found that I am comfortable alone and work better in a different place than my room, which can tempt me to lie in bed or succumb to some other distraction. Now each day I have a routine between classes that I enjoy. Whether it be with friends or alone, I am able to be productive throughout the day.

Socially, I think this semester has allowed me to take a step back and focus on myself rather than other people. Arriving at UMass in the fall, I didn’t have a set group of friends, nor did I know many people prior to attending like I always had at home. I was so focused on putting myself out there and making friends that I would avoid studying or completing work because I said yes to any opportunity to make a friend. While that wasn’t inherently a bad thing and I did end up making some good friends, it definitely took away my productivity and added a lot of stress to my life. While I still enjoy spending time with my friends, I don’t mind taking a night off from going out or staying in and completing an assignment when everyone else wants to hang out.

Putting both these aspects together, it may seem difficult to find a balance between the two. However, I have learned that it is not as hard as it sounds. I don’t feel the need to go out every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. If I have an assignment to complete or just need to catch up on sleep, I’m okay with staying in and I can do so without FOMO or feeling like I’m being left out of a group. I have found that the ‘Sunday Scaries’ aren’t that bad when you’ve completed almost everything by a Friday night. Of course, this isn’t always the case. Occasionally I’ll put off the essay until the last few days because I’d rather have a Harry Potter marathon and order pizza with my friends. But I think that’s the point: it’s all about balance. The memories I get to make and enjoy with those I love and appreciate sometimes outweigh getting a head start on an assignment. I think that as my college career goes on, I’ll hopefully be able to balance this even better and become an even more responsible and productive student and person.