
Alden Braverman ‘20
Title: Asset Management Associate
Employer: Freddie Mac
Major: Economics
What do you enjoy the most about your position?
Freddie Mac has a mission that really resonates with me: to make home-ownership accessible to all. In asset management, I perform data analysis and surveillance on the multifamily portfolio to not only maintain the elevated bond holder experience, but to also serve future and current home-owners. I feel like I am learning something new everyday in a fast-paced and meaningful industry, building off of the concepts I was introduced to during my undergraduate time at UMD.
What is a typical day like in your position?
I focus primarily on internal reporting and data due-diligence. During COVID-19, Freddie Mac has introduced loan forbearance which I have been heavily involved in tracking on a daily basis. I am also involved in assembling the monthly and quarterly multifamily asset management package, this package acts as a detailed "health-check" of our multifamily portfolio. I leverage Microsoft Excel and Python daily to meet deadlines and bring new insights to the table.
How did you find your current position?
I was applying to many full-time positions in the commercial real estate, banking and private equity industries during my senior year. My now-current manager came across my resume after I had applied to an underwriting position at Freddie Mac and believed he could use someone with my experience on his team.
Which undergraduate experiences did you find most helpful in preparing you for your current position?
I was heavily involved in extra-curricular activities during my time at UMD. During my senior year, I was an Innovation Catalyst intern at the UMD Innovation Gateway. This was where I gained critical exposure to the Greater College Park redevelopment plan and UMD's Office of Commercialization. I was able to take what I learned from my responsibilities at the Innovation Gateway and use them at Freddie Mac.
How has your coursework helped you in your current position (i.e. quantitative skills, research techniques, communication skills)?
Macroeconomic fundamentals are extremely important in my industry, especially as we watch the transition from LIBOR to SOFR. Game Theory and the Law of Economics are also courses I found extremely insightful to understand how incentives are designed and how prices are made.
Any job or internship advice for students seeking a position in your field?
Constantly engage in conversation with people you look up to and try to find something you can contribute to. Whether you're in a corporate, academic or casual setting, contributing to a dialogue in any capacity is extremely important. Word-of-mouth is an extremely powerful thing, people will remember what you have to say and sometimes those things will make their way to hiring managers.
What advice do you have for students trying to find jobs or internships during the pandemic?
Do not let your prior expectations prevent you from doing anything. These are certainly unprecedented times and I understand how hard it is to find a job as someone that graduated during COVID-19. Now is the time to take a step back and reflect on what the "right" job is for yourself, and accept that this role may not necessarily be the "best" job for yourself.
I have so much respect for the academic community remaining strong during COVID-19. I cannot imagine what it is like to not be able to see a professor or friend face-to-face on a daily basis, stay strong and keep moving forward with your dreams and endeavors.