On November 6, a small group Business and Finance students gathered before sunrise to catch an Amtrack train for a three-day adventure in New York City. This annual field trip to Wall Street is a capstone experience that seniors can apply for during their fall semester.
“No matter how much classroom knowledge you have, some things can only be learned through real world experience,” reflected Tyler Sears ’26, Finance and Business Analytics major. And that is precisely the reason the annual finance trip to New York City was created, to offer insights into the intricate financial world in Manhattan.
Arriving in Penn Station, the group of 14 seniors, led by Economics and Business Professors Jennifer Kelber ‘01 and Paul Marmora, immediately hit the ground running. The carefully curated visit was made possible due to the unique alumni connections that Saint Anselm College has developed in NYC.
Kelber, who previously worked on Wall Street before returning to the Hilltop, leveraged her network to coordinate several once-in-a-lifetime experiences for the students. This included: Attending the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE); tours of JPMorgan Chase and Bloomberg; conversations and panels with Patrick Sorenson ’21 (Secretariat International) Tara Donohue ’24 (Wells Fargo), Ed Buecker ‘97 (Morgan Stanley); and an evening alumni reception at the Union League Club hosted by Michael McGoldrick '86.
Ashleigh Aboshar ’26, Accounting and Finance double major, shared that the Bloomberg visit, where they also participated in a training session with Bloomberg Terminal software, was one of the most impactful tours. She explained, “Seeing how much data and technology drive decisions in real time made me understand the scale and complexity of the financial world in a new way. That kind of immersion just can’t be replicated in a classroom setting.”
The behind-the-scenes experience at the NYSE was a highlight for Sears. “Being on the actual trading floor, seeing the opening bell, and visiting the options trading floor were all memorable moments. It is the kind of environment you cannot fully comprehend until you see it in person.” He detailed how the group learned about the operations of the exchange, covering everything from the role of brokers to the responsibilities of market makers.
All of the students agreed that hearing from Buecker, a managing director at Morgan Stanley, was especially inspiring. He told personal stories about navigating the 2008 financial crisis and shared how his career path wasn’t always straightforward.
“It made me realize that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away,” said Aboshar. “And that staying curious and open-minded can lead to great opportunities.”
In addition to industry visits, the group made time for obligatory NYC tourists stops, including Times Square and a photo opportunity with the Charging Bull on Wall Street. They soaked up the size and scale of the city, enjoying Liberty Bagels and street-vendor food during their busy schedule downtown, using the subway to zigzag between appointments.
One truly unique highlight was access to the brand-new JPMorgan Chase headquarters. At the time of the visit, the building had only been open a few weeks. John Bazzano P ’16, managing director of real estate banking, graciously gave the group a private tour, spending almost two hours with the students. He shared anecdotes of the NYC commercial real estate world and gave insider access to the state-of-the-art building, showcasing its high technology and biometrics. Bazzano’s daughter graduated from the Saint Anselm nursing program in 2016, and through her experience he has developed a close relationship with Saint A’s.
Aboshar emphasized, “I’m so grateful to the professors and alumni who made this trip possible. It truly shaped how I see my future and reminded me why I chose to study accounting and finance in the first place.”
The students recognized that the connections made on this trip provided valuable insight into different firms and facilitated authentic connections with seasoned professional who are eager to offer advice and guidance. Alumni networking can create opportunities down the road, whether it is learning more about a company or exploring potential career options.
“This trip was one of the best experiences I have had at Saint A’s,” said Sears. “The exposure, the conversations, and the connections were all extremely helpful. I would encourage any student to apply, and if chosen, to take full advantage of every part of the trip. It has definitely helped position me for future career success.”