Wells Fargo turns to UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business for top talent

Wells Fargo, a leader in the financial services industry, understands the value that well-trained, top-quality graduates bring to a organization. That is why the national corporation approached the Belk College of Business for candidates for the Wells Fargo Quantitative Associate Program.

On Monday, November 27, the Belk College proudly welcomed Wells Fargo to the Center City Campus where UNC Charlotte students were actively recruited to the highly respected and competitive program. The Wells Fargo event was the first of its kind at UNC Charlotte, allowing Belk College students to join the ranks of other top schools recruited to the prestigious program, including UCLA, Purdue and Harvard.

“The fact that Wells Fargo included our students in their recruiting efforts reflects the growing reputation of the Belk College of Business and the increasingly high caliber of our graduates,” said Dr. Dolly King, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs. “This first-time event is representative of our intensifying strength, respect, status and diligence. Our programs provide the business community a deep pool of strong candidates, prepared to meet the challenges and requirements of the dynamic financial services industry,” she added.

The Wells Fargo Quantitative Associate program offers students the opportunity to obtain the professional experience needed to develop, implement and validate analytical models, making this one of the most prestigious programs available. Selected associates enter a 12-month rotational program in either the Capital Markets track or Credit & Operational Risk track. The associates then work directly on statistical models for loss forecasting, credit risk scorecard, risk segmentation, capital management and operational risk processes. After program completion, the associates are offered a permanent placement at Wells Fargo.

Students from the Master of Science in Mathematical Finance (“MAFI”) program as well as Ph.D. students (Finance, Math, Engineering Management, and Computer Science) attended the presentation by Wells Fargo. A common theme was reinforced with the students: the financial services industry increasingly relies upon talent with quantitative skills, and Wells Fargo wants the best among those. For Belk College MAFI graduates, the message of a career launching-pad resonated, as these students clearly appreciate long-term goals and the value of dedication. Several professionals were on hand to discuss their own transition from graduate school to the financial services industry, giving students a variety of perspectives.

Weidong Tian, Distinguished Professor in Risk Management & Insurance and MAFI Program Director, shared, “We are thrilled that one of our own Belk College MAFI alum, Han Zhang, leads the Quantitative Associates Program at Wells Fargo. He can directly identify with our current students, and their commitment to their professional plans. I really appreciate Han returning to Belk College to talk with these candidates about their quant skills and how they can lead to incredible career opportunities at Wells.”

The presentation by Wells Fargo was followed by an exclusive networking session where students discussed opportunities directly with recruiters. At this gathering, graduate students, alumni, professors, administrators, professionals and Quantitative Associate Program leaders enjoyed conversation in a one-on-one atmosphere.

Associate Dean Dr. Dolly King has the following message to share with students:“You work hard to earn your advanced degree and as you can see, hiring companies notice. Congratulations for being included in this very targeted recruiting effort for this prestigious program!”

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The UNC Charlotte Belk College of Business Mathematical Finance program draws upon faculty from three departments within UNC Charlotte: the Department of Finance from the Belk College of Business, the Department of Economics from the Belk College of Business, and the Department of Mathematics from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. The Master of Science in Mathematical Finance is ranked in the top 20 Mathematical Finance Programs by The Financial Engineer and top 25 by QuantNet.

Belk College students and Wells Fargo professionals
make the most of the networking opportunity.

Professors and students discuss program with Wells Fargo representative, Roy DeMeo during the networking session.