Belk College Niners “take Manhattan” during immersive experience

In a prized opportunity, 18 Business Niners took Manhattan by storm during an immersive trip to the Financial District in Lower Manhattan.

Key points about the trip:

• Real world experiences: The Business Niners toured five corporate headquarters and connected with industry leaders and alumni in the New York City area.
• Business momentum: Partners helped shape opportunities during the trip, as companies with ties to the Belk College opened their doors, including Equitable, Ernst & Young, Sterling Valuation Group, Bank of America and Barron’s.
• Preparation: Assets and experiences that prepared scholars for the trip are part of the Investing in Education program from Dow Jones, made possible by a gift from Angela Ostendarp and Mary Ware of Carnegie Private Wealth in Charlotte.

Students were excited by the first-hand experiences and the connections they made.

“I was deeply honored and grateful to participate in the professional trip to Manhattan,” said Gabriel Sarmiento, a senior finance major. “This unforgettable experience gave those of us in the Student Managed Investment Fund cohort and other students an incredible opportunity to visit financial firms and also see the iconic Wall Street Bull. This particular inspiring moment perfectly captured our passion for finance and the drive to make our mark in the world of investing.”

The Belk College seeks opportunities like this one to prepare students for success in their future careers, in this case for Charlotte’s booming financial sector and other related sectors.

“While in New York City, our students connected with industry leaders, toured financial services headquarters and gained real-world experiences they could not have had in the traditional classroom setting,” said Natasha Randle, Belk College of Business associate dean for undergraduate programs. “We appreciate the support from all of our partners and also from Charlotte alumni in the New York region who joined the students for several activities.”

Experiences went beyond the direct world of finance, with several illustrating the rich cultural offerings of the city. In addition to tours of corporate headquarters and meetings with leaders, the Charlotte group explored the historic Tribeca neighborhood and visited art galleries, in a tour organized by Equitable’s art collection curator. 

“The trip didn’t just meet my expectations, it exceeded them in several ways,” said Niblock Scholar Amorion (AJ) Armstrong. “The networking opportunities were unmatched, and learning about New York City and the wide range of roles within financial services made it all completely worthwhile.” Armstrong, a B.S.B.A. marketing major and Business Honors scholar, reflected on what he and other students gained during the whirlwind trip.

Chance of a lifetime

“As a Digital Marketing and AI student, this trip wasn’t specifically targeted for my major, but with my strong interest in financial services, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the world’s financial capital was something I couldn’t pass up. This experience also emphasized the importance of networking — especially with alumni, which created an amazing opportunity to learn about the many paths Charlotte graduates have taken and even how the university itself has evolved.

One of the most unexpected and rewarding parts of this trip was how close I became with the other students who attended. Sharing this experience as we navigated the city together, attended company visits and reflected on everything we learned, brought us closer in a way that wouldn’t have happened in a classroom setting.”

High point

“On our last full day in NYC, we visited Equitable’s global headquarters. From the moment we walked in, the employees were genuinely excited to meet us, network and learn more about our backgrounds.

One of the highlights for me was speaking with Equitable’s Chief Innovation and Design Officer Hillary Menard. Our conversation stood out because it connected directly to my interests in marketing, human resources and process improvement, and how those areas are executed on a corporate level. It was inspiring to see how my skill set and passions could align within the financial services space, and it made me feel more welcomed and confident about pursuing opportunities in that industry.”

Path forward

“I believe this trip will help me grow throughout my career because of the strong connections I made, the openness to new opportunities it encouraged and the exposure to a dynamic city like New York. Experiencing the city through a professional and educational lens gave me a whole new appreciation for its energy and opportunities.

It also reinforced the importance of giving back. I was truly inspired by the alumni we met, and I hope to one day return the same level of dedication and support to future Charlotte students.”